The purpose of this study was to make a contribution to what is known about the leaving process by providing a voice for abused women to determine meaningful patterns associated with the life experiences of 10 women who had left an abusive relationship. Through a qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological research design, meaningful life experiences of women who left abusive relationships were interpreted through life patterns. Max Van Manen's (1990) specific methodology was used because of its descriptive and interpretative blend as well as strong orientation to the nature of the phenomenon. This design allowed development of a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of the phenomenon as a whole. Margaret Newman's Theory of Expanding Consciousness (1994) was interwoven within this study, which enhanced the interview process, provided a method of chronology for the collected data as well as provided a nursing focus to the interpretation. Three essential themes emerged from the in-depth interview analyses: (1) Disconnection from self and others, especially mothers; (2) Experiencing chaos related to extreme shame and terror; and (3) Experiencing strength and resilience in the face of minimal resources and support. None of these participants utilized the health care system to help them. These findings provide the foundation for future research on how nurses can help women to disclose their abusive situations. Providing compassion, acknowledgement, and support will allow women to trust the nurse and seek help. By listening to the stories these women have to tell, a nurse will be better equipped to individualize her care.

Families use coping to restore stability after introduction of an acute stressor. Depression and anxiety influence patient coping in post-MI patients and their spouse/companion. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation explains how family type, severity of illness, prior stressors, resources, and psychological status predict coping. This study examined the contributions of these factors to coping in post-MI patients and their spouses/companions during acute stress. The "The Patients' and Families' Psychological Response to Home Automatic Defibrillator Trial (PRHAT)" surveyed 462 post-MI patients and their spouses/companions participating in a study of home defibrillators. Data included scores on the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Hypotheses were tested with correlations, multiple regressions, and hierarchical regressions.;Depression (15.5 spouse/companion-20.2% patient) and anxiety (19.1 spouse/companion-25.6% patient) were common in study participants. Family type was a significant predictor of patient (R2=.037, p=.001) and spouse/companion (R2=.077, p=.001) coping (total F-COPES). Patients' coping predicted spouses/companions' coping (p<.01) after controlling for the contributions of spouse/companion and patient age, gender, education, and employment; and the mediating or moderating effects of spouse/companion anxiety, depression, and resources. Patient state anxiety mediated the relationships between patient family type and severity of illness, and coping. Patient anxiety and depression moderated the relationships of patient family type and illness severity to coping. Spouse/companion psychological status mediated and moderated the relationships of family type and prior stressors to spouse/companion coping. Higher depression and anxiety were related to poorer coping in both groups.;Family type and psychological status predicted coping in post-MI patients and their spouses/companions during a period of stress. Interventions to reduce stress and anxiety may improve coping ability of post MI patients and their families.