Restoring Ontological Security: The impact of family abuse on older women’s perception of the home

This paper examines how abuse by family members disrupts older wom
en’s experiences of home, transforming it from a place of security into
one of conflict. Drawing on the concept of ontological security advanced
by sociologists Anthony Giddens, Ann Dupuis, and David Thorns, who identified
the home as a source of security, stability, and identity, the paper analyses how
This abuse reshapes the home into an environment marked by control, harm, and violence. Through the analysis of data drawn from the stories of seven older women, the study reveals how physical, emotional, and psychological abuse from family members erodes women’s sense of ontological security, with damaging effects on their health and wellbeing. For these women, reclaiming autonomy in their home environment — either by removing the abusive family member (henceforth AFM) or by relocating themselves — was crucial to restoring both physical and psychological senses of security. The women experienced a renewed sense of ontological security at home, which positively impacted their overall wellbeing. This study emphasises the need for targeted support to help older women rebuild a secure, autonomous living space during their recovery.