Workplace disclosure of intimate partner abuse: An examination of supervisory and coworker support.

摘要

Using qualitative methods, focus groups were conducted with 19 residents from two domestic violence shelters in southern California. The objective of the study was to identify the nature and impact of battered women's abuse disclosures to workplace supervisors and coworkers. Most participants (53%) disclosed their abuse to supervisors, whereas only 32% made such disclosures to coworkers.{09}Results suggest that battered women disclosed to supervisors primarily out of fear of negative reprisals, such as being fired and physical safety concerns, whereas disclosure to coworkers emanated more out of trusting relationships or from concerns that coworkers were already aware of the abuse. Battered women who chose not to disclose abuse to supervisors and coworkers reported similar reasons for non-disclosure (e.g., a sense of one's ability to handle problems, shame, etc.), although the degree to which perceived negative consequences influenced their decisions varied. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed.