SELF-REAL AND SELF-IDEAL IMAGES OF WOMEN HAVING ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

The research on the Self-real and Self-ideal images of women having abusive relationships is important due to theoretical and practical challenges of modern society. Women’s role in society, the specifics of interpersonal relationships, the psychological aspects of abusive relationships are the subject of scientific searches for many national and foreign researchers. The article purpose is to determine the features, formation and manifestation of Self-real and Self-ideal images of women having abusive relationships.

An individual’s self-concept is fundamental for the formation of his or her personality. Four formation statuses for a self image are considered: achieved identity, identification moratorium, unpaid identity, diffuse identity. We have analyzed the features and factors determining the formation of three modalities of self-concept: Self-real, Self-ideal and Self-mirrored. Attention is drawn to the formation of four components: cognitive, affective, conative and leading life meanings, and their manifestations during social interactions. Basing on the performed literary review, we have determined the manipulative mechanisms in abusive relationships, namely, physical and psychological violence, the latter means offensive language, social or economic isolation. The analyzed theoretical models of abusive relationships have revealed that women’s self-esteem is significantly reduced under psychological violence characteristic for abusive relationships. By creating a big gap between a woman’s Self-real and the Self-ideal images, her abuser introduces her into a state of helplessness and dependence.

The further research will focus on an empirical analysis of the formation of Self-real and Self-ideal images of women having abusive relationships, self-esteem of women having abusive relationships as a factor influencing their self-concept.