Abstracts Womens Studies

The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on the Academic Success of First-Generation College-Going Women

by Selena Caroline Morentin

This study asks: How does intimate partner violence (IPV) affect first-generation college-going women's academic journey; specifically, within relation to their academic and professional aspirations and everyday experiences? This study investigates the influence of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the academic experiences and aspirations of first-generation college-going women. Based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eight participants who experienced IPV during their undergraduate studies, the research employed a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes in the data. The findings suggest that IPV, though underexplored in the context of first-generation college women, is a significant disruptor to their academic pursuits. Participants reported that their partners actively and directly sabotaged their schoolwork and academic experiences. Additionally, indirect forms of harm were observed, such as attacks on the participants' self-esteem and academic abilities, further isolating them. This study makes important contributions to the existing scholarship by providing insights into how IPV affects the educational attainment of first-generation college-going women. The research opens up a critical conversation within academia to further analyze ways in which this vulnerable population can be supported, both institutionally and through public policy interventions.