The Influence of Trauma on Women’s Empowerment within the Family-based Services Context

Multigenerational crises of traumatic physical and sexual abuse are commonly noted in the histories of families referred for intensive family-based services. This qualitative inquiry centered on women’s participation in family-based therapy services in relation to their trauma histories. Sixteen women were interviewed using qualitative, feminist-informed methods. Women discussed how trauma experiences influence daily life, trust in community services and survival skills in relation to their participation in family-based systems of care. Thematic findings illustrate that facilitating a family empowerment process informed by a lens of trauma survival may enhance support for multi-stressed families by bridging obstacles and ending isolation. Implications for practice suggest that family-based services professionals address contextual obstacles and barriers that women experience.