Discovering the Self: A Grounded Theory of Women's Recovery From Gender‐Based Religious Harm

AIM(S): This study defines adverse religious experiences (AREs), describes how these gendered harms affect women and develops a Classical Grounded Theory (CGT) model of women's recovery and inform trauma- and gender-responsive nursing practice. DESIGN: Using the CGT design, the study explores women's lived experiences with AREs, focusing on their primary concern and the strategies they used to address it. METHODS: Fifteen North American women participated in open-ended, semi-structured interviews conducted between May and June 2023. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently by using constant comparison. Theoretical saturation was reached by approximately 12 interviews and was confirmed through three additional interviews. Theoretical coding was guided by Glaser's Six Cs. RESULTS: The central issue was Loss of Self, with limited agency, embodiment and autonomy due to internalised religious control. This study conceptualises AREs as a gendered determinant of health and introduces a nursing-generated explanatory model of women's recovery from religious harm. The Basic Social Process, Discovering Self, includes six cyclical phases: Living with Toxicity, Loss of Self, Recognizing Woundedness, Leaving Negativity, Seeking Restoration and Awakening to Wholeness. Analytic integration with the Six Cs showed that doctrinal rigidity, gendered hierarchies, conditional belonging, turning points and psychological, spiritual and relational consequences shaped individual recovery paths. Recovery proved a nonlinear, whole-person process spanning spiritual, physical, sexual and relational domains. CONCLUSION: Discovering Self offers the first explanatory model of women's recovery from religious harm, identifying mechanisms of oppression and pathways for reclaiming agency, embodiment and voice. IMPACT: This study provides a roadmap for trauma- and gender-responsive nursing care, education and policy. The findings align with global priorities in health and gender equality. REPORTING METHOD: This study followed the SRQR guidelines and used CGT methodology. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients or the public were not involved in the study.