The self-image of abused women : a comparative study between women living with abuse and those who have escaped abusive relationships

Abstract

This study was an investigation of the level of self-image of women living with their abusive partners in comparison to the level of self-image of women who have escaped abusive relationships. A conveniet sample of 30 women (15 from each group), of ages ranging from 30 to 50 years, attending counselling at social work agencies (Kagiso location - Krugersdorp) was tested. The self-image of respondents was measured by means of a psychometric test which was administered by the researcher. Data from this test was descriptively and statistically analysed using the Chi-squared test. The main finding of this study was that a large proportion of subjects sampled in both groups had an average self-image. Both groups had the same proportion of women with low self-image. The implications of the research findings were discussed.