In my master’s thesis, I examine the psychological factors of resilience among victims of domestic violence. In the introduction, I briefly describe the concept of the family, define domestic violence, and outline the psychological consequences of domestic violence. I also define the legal framework surrounding domestic violence and the forms of assistance available. Finally, I define the concepts of vulnerability and resilience, linking them to social work knowledge. The research problem is the lack of clarity regarding how various resilience factors interact and how professionals can best support victims in building this resilience. Based on a non-random, convenience sample, I selected eight informants with whom I conducted interviews following established guidelines. The informants provided me with insight into their experiences of violence. The population consists of adults who, as of January 1, 2025, have experienced domestic violence in Slovenia, with at least two years having passed since the violence occurred. In the empirical part, I asked about the participants’ experiences of trauma, coping with the experience of violence and building resilience, barriers to coping with violence, factors contributing to resilience, and the forms of formal support they had encountered. Through my research, I sought to determine which psychological resilience factors are most commonly developed by victims of domestic violence; how victims of violence experience trauma; how victims of violence cope with their experiences of violence—what contributes to their resilience; what hinders individuals from coping with experiences of violence and what forms of formal assistance victims of violence have received. I found that victims of domestic violence develop resilience as a dynamic and gradual process shaped by internal psychological traits, social support, and access to quality professional help. Among the most common psychological factors of resilience were inner strength, determination, and tenacity, which enable victims to persevere despite prolonged exposure to violence. Cognitive strategies also played an important role—the ability to engage in internal dialogue, self-reflection, and the gradual development of self-worth. A key external factor in resilience was social support from loved ones, which offered victims acceptance and a safe space. Formal assistance strengthened resilience, particularly when a professional correctly identified the violence and established a trusting, empathetic relationship. A key obstacle in coping with violence was the normalization of violence, which long prevented victims from recognizing their own experience. Furthermore, financial dependence, systemic barriers, and inappropriate responses from professionals significantly influenced the path to recovery, eroding trust in institutions over the long term. The findings indicate that recovery is not merely an individual process but requires simultaneous action at the level of the individual, their relationships, and access to quality formal support.
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