Talking back: research as an act of resistance and healing for African American women survivors of intimate male partner violence

The purpose of this article is to use a Black feminist/ womanist framework to: (a) explore the historical factors that discourage Black women's participation in the research process; (b) demonstrate how research can be a potential avenue of resistance and healing for African American women survivors of intimate male partner violence; and (c) suggest ways for practitioners and researchers to encourage the participation of this population. Benefits from the research process emerged as three themes: (a) healing the self, (b) helping others, and (c) envisioning new life directions.