Peer-reviewed article
Verbal violence and its psychological and social dimensions in intimate and familial relationships.
Hamamra B, Mahamid F, Bdier D ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the experiences of 30 Palestinian women who experienced verbal abuse in intimate and family relationships. Researchers identified patterns of verbal abuse in marriages, public shaming, aggression toward children, and the psychological harm caused by such violence. The study found that cultural and social factors reinforce verbal abuse in the Palestinian context and that women develop various coping strategies to resist it.
Key points
- Five main themes identified: verbal abuse in marital relationships, weaponization of public shaming, verbal aggression toward children, psychological consequences, and cultural reinforcement of abuse
- Participants were 30 women aged 23-53 seeking legal consultation, indicating formal help-seeking behavior
- Psychological consequences of verbal violence were documented as a significant theme
- Cultural and social factors were identified as reinforcing verbal abuse patterns
- Women developed resistance and coping mechanisms to address verbal violence
Limitations
This study focuses on women's experiences and does not examine verbal abuse from children's perspectives, though children were identified as victims of verbal aggression. The sample comprised women seeking legal consultation, which may not represent all women experiencing verbal abuse in Palestinian society.
Abstract
Aims The present exploratory article sought to analyze experiences of women subjected to verbal abuse in intimate and familial relationships within the Palestinian context. Methods The study involved thirty women who sought legal consultation at the law clinic of An-Najah National University. The participants' ages ranged from 23 to 53 years (mean age = 29.41 years, SD = 13.10). Results Thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of five main themes: (1), verbal abuse in marital relationships (2), weaponization of public shaming (3), verbal aggression toward children (4), psychological consequences of verbal violence (5), cultural and social reinforcement of verbal abuse (6), resistance and coping mechanisms (7), resistance through criticism of men. Conclusions Addressing both the structural and cultural dimensions of verbal violence within the Palestinian context is essential. Interventions can help create safer environments for victims and promote resilience. This study acts as a compelling call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to tackle the root causes of verbal violence and provide support to those affected by it.