Date
4-2021
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Stacey Lilley
Keywords
Shame, Guilt, Domestic Violence, Religion, Abuse
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Williams, Tiera Danisha, "The Relationship among Guilt and Shame, and Religion for Women Victims of Domestic Violence" (2021). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 2904.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/2904
Abstract
Domestic violence is an ongoing national issue that has tainted women across centuries and is still an ongoing issue to date. Research has shown the effects that domestic violence can have on women in regard to their mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing, recognizing how it changes their livelihoods. Shame and guilt play a major role in how women respond to the abuse they have suffered and can dictate whether they receive the proper help needed to overcome abuse or leave an abusive relationship. Religion, as a major component in many people’s lives, can also play a major part in how someone responds to domestic violence, as their behaviors may be led by their religious beliefs. The trauma of domestic violence can way heavy on the mental health of sufferers which results in a reduction of functionality. Research is needed to investigate further if feelings of being flawed, embarrassed, or having thoughts of having to meet specific moral compasses based on religious viewpoints have an impact on domestic violence survivors. This research looks at how shame and guilt coincide with religion and how they all affect victims of domestic abuse.
