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Lived Experiences of African Immigrant Female Survivors of IPV Seeking Informal Help in the United States
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DOI：10.1007/s10896-026-01127-9.png)
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Abstract
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This interpretative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of African immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States, specifically focusing on their help-seeking behaviors from informal sources. The research examines how individual, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors influence these women’s decisions to seek support, guided by Liang et al.‘s Help-Seeking Conceptual Model. Semi-structured interviews, each lasting 45 to 60 min, were conducted with 10 African immigrant women who survived IPV. The interviews focused on the participants’ experiences seeking informal support and the challenges they faced. Data analysis was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach to identify key themes in their help-seeking journeys. Four major themes emerged from the data: (1) Recognition of IPV, (2) Decision to Seek Help, (3) Engagement with Informal Help Seeking, and (4) Challenges and Recommendations for Other Survivors. These themes highlight both the benefits and the barriers to seeking informal help, including the impact of cultural norms, societal stigma, and the role of community networks. The study reveals that while informal support plays a crucial role, cultural norms and stigma often prevent effective help-seeking among African immigrant IPV survivors. The findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions and support services that address the unique challenges faced by this population, with implications for enhancing their well-being and ensuring more effective assistance in their recovery process.
Keywords:
African immigrant women
Intimate partner violence
Help-seeking behavior
Informal support
Cultural sensitivity
Survivors’ lived experiences
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