“I Don’t Like Being That Hyperaware of My Body”: Women Survivors of Sexual Violence and Their Experience of Exercise

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1692-1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika N. Smith-Marek ◽  
Joyce Baptist ◽  
Chandra Lasley ◽  
Jessica D. Cless

The experience of exercise among women survivors of sexual violence is a multifaceted phenomenon. In effort to inform treatment interventions, we used a phenomenological approach to describe the lived experience of exercise among women survivors of sexual violence. Data analysis from a focus group discussion and individual interviews with eight women survivors receiving services at a rape crisis center (RCC) revealed four themes: exercising (and not exercising) fosters safety, exercising is risky, past trauma restricts exercise choices, and exercising is beneficial. Findings indicate that survivors’ experience of exercise is related to their connections with self and their social environment. Survivors’ choices related to exercise were impacted by their stage of recovery. A variety of social-contextual factors appeared to support or impede motivation to exercise and it was not disinterest in exercise or low confidence in the ability to exercise, but restricted exercise options perceived as safe that influenced exercise motivation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Subandi

One of the tasks of human development is to discover its identity. There are many ways a person can find that identity. One of them is through the identification of the idol figure. This study aims to understand the process of identity formation through the identification of shadow puppet figures in the context of Javanese culture. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to understand the process retrospectively. Three main participants were involved in the study. The process of collecting data was done through in-depth interview methods to both the main participants and their significant others. FGD (focused group discussion) is also conducted to explore participants' understanding of their process of identity formation. Data analysis was done by phenomenological method. This study found three main themes, namely interested in shadow puppet figures, matching self-image with puppet characters, and the use of feeling as a bridge between self and the puppet. This study concluded that shadow puppets can be used as a means to find identity among their fans.


2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos António Laranjeira ◽  
Paula Ponce Leão ◽  
Isabel Leal

This study explores women’s embodiment from an existential–phenomenological approach. Gynecological cancer was chosen as the condition of interest to understand socially formed gender via female bodies as a lived experience of socially and historically situated women. This empirical material is based on individual interviews with 10 Portuguese cancer survivors. A phenomenological–hermeneutical method, inspired by Ricoeur (1976), was used to extract the meaningful content from the women’s experiences. These narratives include life changes and recovery transitions in and through the lived body. By seeing cancer survival in terms of the lived body, this study opens the possibility of articulating a deeper and clearer understanding of people’s experience of cancer trauma with gender-sensitive health services.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-393
Author(s):  
Aysun Oztuna Kaplan

The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions embraced by preservice science teachers on astrology, which is defined as a pseudo-science. It also aimed to reflect their abilities to distinguish between science and pseudo-science through the examples of astronomy – astrology. Twenty-nine grade 4 preservice teachers studying Science Education participated in the study. Among the qualitative research patterns, the phenomenological approach was used for the study. Data were collected through an open-ended question form, group discussion records, and research assignments, while individual interviews were conducted where necessary. Open coding was used for the evaluation of the data, and the validity of the study was obtained through verifications of preservice teachers on themes and theories during the interviews. The findings of the study showed that a vast majority of preservice teachers perceived astrology as a field of science or a subfield of astronomy. Quite a few preservice teachers expressed that astrology was a nonscientific field and that knowledge obtained through astrology could not be considered as scientific knowledge. Key words: astrology, astronomy, pre-service science teachers, pseudo-science, science.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1212-1242 ◽  
Author(s):  
ISABELLE WALLACH ◽  
SHARI BROTMAN

ABSTRACTThe population of people aged 50 and over represents a significant proportion of people living with HIV in Western nations. While the number of older people living with HIV is rapidly increasing in Canada, research originating in this country remains relatively scarce. This article therefore proposes to describe the impact of the intersection of HIV and ageing on the identities and lived experiences of people living with HIV of 50 and over (PLHIV50+), both on an individual and social level, in order to offer a picture of their lived experience. Using a phenomenological approach, nine semi-structured individual interviews with PLHIV50+ (men and women) were undertaken. Data analysis identified several central themes which constituted the essence of their experience of the intersection of HIV and ageing, such as the experience of premature ageing, the impact of HIV on intergenerational relationships, the shrinking of one's social network, rejection experienced by the older population, a difficult return to work and a deterioration in living conditions. The results of this research highlight the many challenges faced by PLHIV50+, on physical, relational, work and economic levels. Even though some of the problems faced by PLHIV50+ were related to the experience of corporal changes and a deterioration of health, our research was able to highlight the societal and structural factors underlying the stigma of HIV and ageing.


Curationis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Horn ◽  
Petra Brysiewicz

Background: Both non-governmental organisations and governmental organisations are very involved in the development and implementation of community empowerment programmes (CEPs). Because of various health issues within the community, 10 CEPs were launched in Ladysmith with a focus on addressing the particular needs of HIV-affected and -infected members. Of the 10 programmes, however, only four were deemed sustainable after five years.Objectives: The researcher explored the lived experiences of HIV community workers participating in two CEPs in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal in order to develop recommendations for CEPs.Method: Data were explored using a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Ten participants who had been involved in HIV CEPs for more than six months were identified and individual interviews were held.Results: Three themes emerged, namely, giving of yourself, maintaining sustainability and assisting the CEPs and community workers. Each of these themes also contained a number of subthemes. Exploring the lived experience of the community workers revealed that there are a number of ways in which to promote the sustainability of CEPs.Conclusion: The community should be involved in all aspects of the CEP and community workers must respect the community and their knowledge, experience and value systems.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110001
Author(s):  
Tova Band-Winterstein ◽  
Hila Avieli

The present study explores the lived experience of older women who are sexually abused in the context of lifelong intimate partner violence (IPV). An interpretive phenomenological analysis was used, and semi-structured interviews were performed with 19 older women survivors of lifelong IPV and sexual violence. Three themes emerged: sexual violence shaping lifelong IPV, the occurrence of sexual violence in old age in the context of lifelong IPV, and cumulative insights and reflections on being a survivor of lifelong IPV and sexual violence. The transition to aging has a profound impact on the violent relationship dynamics and this should be considered in practical interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Jalilah Ahmad ◽  
Rosmimah Mohd. Roslin ◽  
Mohd Ali Bahari Abdul Kadir

The global Halal industry is large and continues to grow as the global Muslim population increases in size and dispersion. There are 1.84 billion Muslims today spread over 200 countries and is expected to increase to 2.2 billion by 2030. The industry will be worth USD6.4 trillion by the end of 2018 with more non-traditional players and emergent markets. The stakes are high with pressures to generate novel and sustainable practices. This goes beyond systems and hard skills as it needs to cut into the self – the person of virtues in virtuous acts, not because they “have to” but because it is the purpose of humankind or his telos - to be “living well” and “acting well” or eudaimonia. This study seek to explore Halal executives’ lived experience of “eudaimonia.”. Using Giorgi’s descriptive psychological phenomenological method for data analysis, the study elicits two distinct invariant structures – ‘disequilibrium in status quo’ and ‘divinity salience’.


Women ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Julie Breinholm Svarrer Jakobsen ◽  
Josefine Stæhr Brodersen ◽  
Zainab Afshan Sheikh ◽  
Karoline Kragelund Nielsen

(1) Background: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This risk can be reduced with lifestyle interventions, including physical activity. However, studies have shown that many women with prior GDM are not physically active. The aim of this study was to investigate the motivation for physical activity among women with prior GDM. (2) Methods: A qualitative study was carried out based on a phenomenological approach using semi-structured individual interviews with nine Danish women between 29 and 36 years of age with a minimum of one earlier GDM-affected pregnancy. (3) Results: Five themes were identified; perception of physical activity, risk perception, emotional distress, competing priorities and social support. The perception of physical activity varied among the women. The GDM diagnosis or the awareness of elevated risk for T2DM did not seem to be a decisive factor for the women’s motivation to be active. Competing priorities, including being in control of everyday life choices and support from social relations, were found to be important motivational factors. (4) Conclusion: Future interventions for women with prior GDM to increase motivation for physical activity should be compatible with and take into account the women’s perceptions, earlier lived experiences, possible competing priorities and support systems.


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