Using Qualitative Data to Synthesize a Theory on Post-Traumatic Growth Following Intimate Partner Violence

Theories are an essential part of the knowledge base of each discipline. One of the missions of scientists is to develop theories and to keep on doing more research to further develop or correct theories based on evidence-based research. So, this is a process which never ends. Theories are developed and tested through research and once they have been sufficiently tested, they become part of science. The main research question was: What are the main components of the PTG journey of female IPV survivors? The aim of this paper is to describe the process of how we answered the research question by developing a theory on post-traumatic-growth (PTG) following intimate partner violence (IPV) from the perspective of female survivors. We aim to describe and explain it more comprehensively than is possible in a single paper where a theory is being introduced. We emphasize how we synthesized the theory by using own qualitative research and the accompanying unpublished qualitative data (transcripts) and then used systematic comparison of these to the literature. The method of theory synthesis involves three main steps: (1) specification of the key concepts and key statements of the theory; (2) a review of the literature to identify components related to the key concepts and key statements; and (3) organization of the key concepts and key statements into an integrated description of the phenomena under study. By using qualitative research results and accompanying qualitative data we were able to synthesize a theory describing the PTG journey of female survivors of IPV from their own perspective. In the presentation of the theory, we used text, tables and a figure describing and explaining their journey. We conclude that when synthesizing qualitative data and findings from qualitative studies into theories, a theory synthesis is a valid method. All theories must be tested and revised through concept revision and statement revision in the light of new knowledge. To further develop this theory, more research is also needed due to the gap of research in this field.