ItemArticle

Constructing healing narratives: a culturally grounded intervention for tribal women survivors of intimate partner violence in India

Title
Constructing healing narratives: a culturally grounded intervention for tribal women survivors of intimate partner violence in India
Creator
P R, Aswathi; Rani, Akanksha
Description
Intimate partner violence (IPV) profoundly disrupts womens sense of self, relationships, and belonging, with particularly severe consequencesfor marginalized and indigenous women. This paper reports findingsfrom a pilot study on the development and preliminary implementationof a culturally grounded mental health intervention for tribal women survivors of IPV in Wayanad, Kerala, India. The intervention was developed in response to the limited cultural relevance of main stream trauma-focused models in indigenous contexts and was informed by constructivist, psychodynamic, narrative, and cognitive-behavioural principles. Ten tribal women aged 1850 participated in a five-session group-based programme that integrated indigenous cultural expressionssuch as folk songs, rhythmic movement, clayart, and storytellingwith therapeutic processes aimed at meaning-making, emotional regulation, and identity reconstruction. Sessions emphasized symbolic expression and collective reflection, enabling participants to externalize traumatic experiences and renegotiate personal narratives within a culturally familiar and emotionally safe space. Qualitative reflections indicated notable shifts from shame, self-blame, silence, and social isolation toward emerging narratives of resilience, agency, and connection. Participants reported enhanced emotional expression, strengthened coping strategies, and increased community support. Overall, the findings underscore the feasibility and cultural relevance of art-based, constructivist interventions for tribal women survivors of IPV. Future research should employ larger samples and mixed-methods designs to assess long-term outcomes and adaptability across diversetribal contexts. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Source
Journal of Gender Studies;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Routledge
Subject
Constructivist psychology; cultural adaptation; India; intimate partner violence; narrative; tribal women
Coverage
P R A., Department of psychology, Christ university, Bengaluru, India; Rani A., Department of psychology, Christ university, Bengaluru, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 9589236;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

P R, Aswathi; Rani, Akanksha, “Constructing healing narratives: a culturally grounded intervention for tribal women survivors of intimate partner violence in India,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22676.

Output Formats