“Towards the Enhancement of Self-Esteem for the Abused Women”

Ma. Irma C. Bustamante, RN,PhD

Biography
• Finished her BSN and Master of Arts in Nursing, Major in Maternal and Child Health at the
University of Sto. Tomas. • She obtained her doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at U.P.
Biography
• She is an educator, counselor, writer, consultant, and a researcher, both national and international.
• She has spoken various international conferences in USA and other countries.
Background of the theory
• Women abuse has been recognized as an increasing social problem affecting women of all ages,
race, creed, nationality, and socioeconomic status. • To explore the women’s perceptions of
womanhood and self-esteem. • The study is about women abuse and how these women can be
helped, the critical social theory and feminist principles are most appropriate framework.
Basic concepts and assumptions
• Jurgen’s Haberma’s Critical Social Theory, feminism, and feminist principles were used as
framework.
3 MAJOR PRINCIPLES IN FEMINIST BELIEF SYSTEM
1. Recognition of the fact that women are oppressed. 2. The personal is political. 3. Consciousness
raising
Findings and Recommendation
1) The essence of womanhood is being a good mother and a good wife; 2) Roles that women play
can either be working mother or non-working mother, however, whether women are working or
not, they should still perform their responsibilities as mother and wife. 3) Respondents felt that it
is still the male who has the higher status in the society, although there were others who felt that
Findings and Recommendation
men and women are equal 4) Abused was perceived to be wrong, however, respondents felt that
they could do little about the situation 5) A number of respondents felt that women are to blame
for the occurrence of abuse. 6) As measured by the self- esteem scale. The respondent self-esteem
was found to be moderate
Findings and Recommendation
7) There was no relationship between the roles that women play and their status in society to their
levels of self-esteem 8) A significant difference in the self-esteem existed: a. Among the study
group before and after the intervention measure, the Nursing Self- Esteem Enhancement Program,
which had been used for four consecutive weeks.
Findings and Recommendation
b. Between the study and the control group after the intervention measure has been used. 9) There
was no significant difference in self – esteem: a. Among the control group before and after four
weeks’ time duration b. Between the control and study group before an intervention measure has
been used
Findings and Recommendation
10) When the study and control group were taken together, the presence of the intervention
measure could predict an increase in self-esteem. When taken singly among the study group, no
demographic variable could predict increase self- esteem.
Main points of the theory
• Womanhood as being a good mother and a good wife • To promote women empowerment and
to enlighten their minds in raising gender equality • Enhancing women’s self-esteem and
eradicating women abuse.
Nursing Metaparadigm
• Person Person is defined as the main study component especially women. Enhancement of self-
esteem and gender equality was emphasized • Health Health is defined as the development of
psychological well-being of the person especially women
Nursing Metaparadigm
• Environment External factors such as the environment was not given emphasis • Nursing Nursing
intervention of the theory is to enhance the psychological well-being aspect of women enabling
them to be highly efficient in terms of skills and artistry.
Strengths of the theory
• The theory focuses on the promotion of rights on women in attaining gender equality. • Increases
the self-esteem of women likewise enhancing it.
Weaknesses of the theory
• The theory focuses only on the psychological aspect of one individual especially women. • Does
not give a holistic viewpoint on the overall problem. • The theory did not mention any external
factors and such as the environment. It is more focused on the psychological wellbeing aspect of
women
Impact of theory in Nursing
• It gave an avenue for women to be respected in their occupation. • Feminism took advantage in
the field of nursing especially for women. • Gave awareness in gender equality.
Status of the theory today
• The theory today is widely used and recognized worldwide. For it promotes women
empowerment, gender equality, enhancement of self-esteem for women and the development of
psychological wellbeing of the individual that leads to the decline of occurrence on women abuse.
Analysis and comments on the future of the theory
• Culture and society have a very strong influence on the roles that women play, their status in the
society, and their perception of violence, since violence has been culturally tolerated. • The
women’s self-esteem was not dependent on the women’s perception on their roles and their status
in the society.
Contributions of the theory throughout its history
• Values that tend to uphold that men are heads of the households, and values that the best
expression on femininity is the mother who stays at home are echoed in the other sphere of the
society like the school and the church. • Women who are socialized to internalize these values tend
to preserve and uphold them at whatever cost.

Quiz
1) Explain Dr. Maria Irma’s Theory "Towards the Enhancement of Self-esteem for the Abused
Women”?
2) Enumerate the 3 Major Principles in Feminist Belief System?
3) As a student how can you raise awareness in gender equality?

Thank you for listening!

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