Neutralization of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) often face stigmatizing portrayals that challenge their agency and legitimacy as victims. A body of qualitative research documents how many women respond by engaging in cognitive strategies to make sense of their victimization and maintain positive self-concepts. However, this literature is fragmented across disciplines and lacks a unified conceptual foundation. Using a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, we apply neutralization theory as a unifying lens to synthesize findings from 16 qualitative studies. We identify four neutralization techniques: self-blame, denial of significance, minimization of severity, and sympathy for the abuser. These techniques serve as coping mechanisms and strategies to maintain positive identities for themselves and their abusers in the face of stigma. Importantly, we also find that these neutralizations are dynamic and can dissolve in response to catalytic events, including escalating abuse, recognition of patterns, concern for children, and outsider input. Our synthesis advances our understanding of IPV victimization by reframing previously observed coping strategies as active neutralization techniques to manage the stigma of victimhood and preserve a positive sense of self and relationship. In doing so, we also extend neutralization theory by detailing its relevance for victims and its evolution over time.