Date of Conferral
8-1-2024
Date of Award
August 2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Sandra Caramela-Miller
Abstract
Knowledge of the challenges faced by domestic violence victims with Stockholm Syndrome (SS) symptoms during divorce was limited at the time of the current study. Previous findings supported frequent occurrence of doubts during divorce proceedings due to SS, with negative effects on victims’ well-being after separation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate victims’ decision making processes affected by SS features. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with six mental health providers treating victims with SS symptoms during divorce proceedings. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was applied to identify vital experiences through the perspective of therapists. Analysis determined four themes. Time was recognized as a main factor for SS effect in decision making due to the duration of court divorce processes. Core SS feature effects were found to change rapidly over time during divorce processes. Love dependence gradually shifted from the abused partner to other trusted individuals, affecting decisional focus. Psychological damage was a barrier at all divorce stages. Findings may be used to raise awareness, promote support, and improve support services for survivors during divorce proceedings.
Recommended Citation
Sidiropoulou, Simela, "Stockholm Syndrome and Divorce-Related Decision Making of the Abused Spouse" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16264.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16264
