Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the history, changing definitions and meanings of intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA), discussing how different research questions, methods and language underlie diverse theoretical positions. It reviews social, material and political contexts that have inspired the more comprehensive ‘IPVA’ over ideas of domestic violence and abuse. The book looks critically at the ways in which ideological differences among stakeholders have influenced research and practice agendas particularly the sociological feminism versus psychology debate and the debates within psychology itself, particularly feminist, and qualitative psychology. The book explains the dilemmas of care and questions of blame with a focus on the predicaments facing women and their children terrorized by IPVA alongside the policy and practices informing and shaping the role of health and social care professionals.