Obstetric Violence (OV) Consequences and Coping Strategies: Insights Through the Voices of Arab and Jewish Women in Israel.

Abstract

This qualitative research amplifies the voices of Jewish and Arab women in Israel, illuminating their experiences with obstetric violence, its consequences, and coping strategies. The premise of this study is the feminist approach that aims to eradicate phenomena related to gender and patriarchal structures affecting women, their bodies, and their health. The research was based on the qualitative-constructivist methodology, by means of thematic analysis of 20 in-depth semistructured interviews. Two main themes emerged: first, consequences (e.g., physical, emotional, spousal relationships, and mistrust) and second, women's coping strategies (e.g., repression, avoidance, garnering inner strengths, resilience, and relying on external help).