A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Understanding of Men’s Healing From Childhood Maltreatment

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and interpret men’s experience of healing from childhood maltreatment. Design: Hermeneutic phenomenological. Method: In-depth interviews. Community-based purposive, maximum variation sampling approach. Recruitment occurred through posting flyers and advertisements. Verbatim data were analyzed and themes of the meaning of healing were identified. Findings: The meaning of healing was interpreted as “moving beyond suffering.” Five themes were identified to capture the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon: (a) breaking through the masculine veneer, (b) finding meaning, (c) choosing to live well, (d) caring for the self using holistic healing methods, and (e) engaging in humanizing relationships. Conclusions: Men who survived childhood maltreatment have needs to heal holistically mind, body, and spirit. Meeting their needs requires the provision of highly compassionate humanistic healing environments and healing-promotive nursing care. © The Author(s) 2014.