The Good Mood Clinic Podcast

78. Don't Second Guess: Trusting Your Intuition to Identify Early Indicators of Intimate Partner Abuse

February 23, 2023
78. Don't Second Guess: Trusting Your Intuition to Identify Early Indicators of Intimate Partner Abuse
The Good Mood Clinic Podcast
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The Good Mood Clinic Podcast
78. Don't Second Guess: Trusting Your Intuition to Identify Early Indicators of Intimate Partner Abuse
Feb 23, 2023

Welcome to another episode of The Good Mood Clinic Podcast!

TRIGGER WARNING - Intimate partner abuse discussed and some sobering statistics of violence/sexual violence against woman are stated.

In today's episode we speak with Psychologist  Leanne Nunn who has recently completed her PhD research on  The Earliest Warning Signs of Intimate Partner Abuse.   Leanne has over twenty five years of experience as a psychologist in the clinical, management and training sectors.  She is also a PhD Student at the University of Tasmania focusing on intimate partner abuse (IPA). She has worked
with women that have experienced IPA or childhood abuse extensively throughout her career, both individually and in groups, across private practice, hospital and community settings.
 
Summary of research findings

This qualitative research project focused on listening to the voices of survivors of IPA and identified four key findings:

1) Women witnessed behaviours by the perpetrator early in the relationship that they felt were inappropriate or concerning or that they simply did not agree with. However, they did not label these behaviours as early warning signs of abuse, even when they were already very familiar with warning signs of abuse.
2) When women witnessed these inappropriate behaviours, they compromised or pushed down their internal reactions to them.
3) Every relationship included perpetrators’ intense charm, pursuit, love or excitement.
4) Every relationship included perpetrators’ controlling behaviours that imposed limits on the victim-survivor.

These findings suggest that the socialisation of women (including prioritising their partner’s needs over their own, maintaining the relationship at all costs, and a hope to be ‘swept up’ in their relationship) creates a foundation that can be manipulated by perpetrators to further enhance their abusive tactics. There are important implications of this research for primary prevention programs going forward.

Contact for Psychologist  Leanne Nunn.
http://www.lmnunn.com/

Link to Leanne's book
http://www.lmnunn.com/books/


ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Good Mood Clinic podcast focuses on our passion for Schema Therapy and how it transforms lives for the better. We talk about all things to do with Schema Therapy so you can become your own pattern-breaker and change your life for good. We think the whole world would be a better place if everyone healed their schemas!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast please do leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts - even a few words helps! You can also email us with any feedback, thoughts on what you have learned from the episodes or even suggest future topics.

Please note: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and is no substitute for professional or relationship advice from a registered therapist. Please seek advice that is tailored to your specific needs from a mental heath or relationship expert.


Are you a regular listener who loves what we do on this podcast?  If so, would you consider helping us continue to put out great content by making a small monthly contribution?  If you'd like to help support the show please click the link below.

Support the Show.

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Show Notes

Welcome to another episode of The Good Mood Clinic Podcast!

TRIGGER WARNING - Intimate partner abuse discussed and some sobering statistics of violence/sexual violence against woman are stated.

In today's episode we speak with Psychologist  Leanne Nunn who has recently completed her PhD research on  The Earliest Warning Signs of Intimate Partner Abuse.   Leanne has over twenty five years of experience as a psychologist in the clinical, management and training sectors.  She is also a PhD Student at the University of Tasmania focusing on intimate partner abuse (IPA). She has worked
with women that have experienced IPA or childhood abuse extensively throughout her career, both individually and in groups, across private practice, hospital and community settings.
 
Summary of research findings

This qualitative research project focused on listening to the voices of survivors of IPA and identified four key findings:

1) Women witnessed behaviours by the perpetrator early in the relationship that they felt were inappropriate or concerning or that they simply did not agree with. However, they did not label these behaviours as early warning signs of abuse, even when they were already very familiar with warning signs of abuse.
2) When women witnessed these inappropriate behaviours, they compromised or pushed down their internal reactions to them.
3) Every relationship included perpetrators’ intense charm, pursuit, love or excitement.
4) Every relationship included perpetrators’ controlling behaviours that imposed limits on the victim-survivor.

These findings suggest that the socialisation of women (including prioritising their partner’s needs over their own, maintaining the relationship at all costs, and a hope to be ‘swept up’ in their relationship) creates a foundation that can be manipulated by perpetrators to further enhance their abusive tactics. There are important implications of this research for primary prevention programs going forward.

Contact for Psychologist  Leanne Nunn.
http://www.lmnunn.com/

Link to Leanne's book
http://www.lmnunn.com/books/


ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Good Mood Clinic podcast focuses on our passion for Schema Therapy and how it transforms lives for the better. We talk about all things to do with Schema Therapy so you can become your own pattern-breaker and change your life for good. We think the whole world would be a better place if everyone healed their schemas!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast please do leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts - even a few words helps! You can also email us with any feedback, thoughts on what you have learned from the episodes or even suggest future topics.

Please note: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and is no substitute for professional or relationship advice from a registered therapist. Please seek advice that is tailored to your specific needs from a mental heath or relationship expert.


Are you a regular listener who loves what we do on this podcast?  If so, would you consider helping us continue to put out great content by making a small monthly contribution?  If you'd like to help support the show please click the link below.

Support the Show.