Narrative Processing Predicts Well-Being and Communion in Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Narratives may play an important role in understanding and healing from traumas among victims of intimate partner violence. This study investigated whether narrative processes of overcoming and integrating traumas into overall life stories (i.e., narrative resolution, complexity, and growth) relate to female victims' overall psychological well-being and capacities for close, meaningful relationships following intimate partner violence (N=32). To assess predictor and outcome variables, a narrative protocol and questionnaires examining participants' well-being, relationship attitudes, and relationship engagement were used. Results showed that victims' levels of narrative processing were generally predictive of their intimate relationship attitudes, positive relations with others, and overall well-being. Decreased rumination partially mediated the relationship between narrative resolution and well being. Overall, findings indicate the importance of narratives in trauma recovery in the case of intimate partner violence. Storytelling is pertinent to an individual's self-insight and development both in the therapy setting and in life overall. Storytelling, or narrative processing, is the narration, interpretation, and incorporation of past experiences into individuals' life stories (Pals, 2006). Consequently, narrative processing is important in making meaning of past events, particularly traumatic experiences, within the context of the life story as a whole. People's stories vary in their inclusion of narrative components, such as complexity, resolution, and growth. Overall, the sharing of one's experiences is linked to identity development, well-being, positive relationship development, and meaning in one's life (e.g., King, 2001; Linley & Joseph, 2003). Past research has shaped the current study's focus on a particular trauma in women, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and its relationship to narrative processing, which has the potential to be a powerful coping mechanism in trauma victims. Understanding coping in IPV victims is essential, as being able to identify successful coping mechanisms has positive implications for recovery and therapy for victims. The present study centers on one main question: What narrative processes (i.e., complexity, resolution, and growth) predict IPV victims' well-being and capacities for close relationships? Life stories are complex, evolving, psychosocial constructions (i.e., both individuals and their cultures author and shape these stories) associated with identity development (McAdams & Bowman, 2001). Individuals constantly revise their unique life stories to comply with cultural expectations and to incorporate past, present, and future events into these stories 46 experiences, and differences in life experiences are pertinent to identity development within a culture (McLean, 2008). Essentially, identity is an internalized, evolving life story (McAdams, 2001). Past research has shown the …