Abstract

This study was conducted for the purpose of exploring the nature of the bidirectional dating violence experience of early adult women. To this end, 13 early adult women were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using phenomenological methods. As a result, 25 sub categories and 9 essential categories were derived. The essential categories were 'detected changes in the attitude of the partner', 'pressure and discomfort caused by dating violence', 'damaged self-concept due to dating violence', 'wound and shock caused by dating violence', 'conflict internally while condoning the damage of violence', 'attempting a preemptive attack to take the lead', 'obsessed, controlling, and enduring anxiety', 'justifying and allowing aggressive sensitivity', and 'justifying the motive for the offense to respond'. These results were discussed in comparison and analysis with previous studies, and elements necessary for future clinical intervention and program planning were suggested.