SUPPORTING AND HINDERING FACTORS FOR INFORMAL ENVIRONMENT � FAMILY - WHEN ADDRESSING VIOLENCE IN COUPLE RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Background: The issue of violence in couple relationships is perceived from the perspective of integrative ecological model, while informal environment of women is considered one of multilateral phenomena influencing women?s strategies when addressing violence in couple relationships. Methods: The objective of the paper is to describe informal environment of women living in violent couple relationships. As many as 44 women participated in the research, aged 22 � 65. Most of them reached secondary education and almost 60% of them were divorced. Most of them worked full-time, two of them were on retirement pension. Two of them were childless. The data was collected with help of a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview and further processed by the method of qualitative thematic analysis, based on the phenomenological approach. Results: The results show the supporting and hindering factors in informal environment of women living in violent couple relationships. The supporting factors are understanding, support and help provided by all family members. The hindering factors are lack of faith in what women go through, lack of understanding, unwillingness to help, and indifferent attitude of family members. Conclusions: The results show that it is important to recognize the supporting and hindering factors in informal environment of women in violent couple relationships not only when setting up the effective assistance provided by formal or informal helpers, but also when setting up effective strategies for public policies.