Table 2.

The seven published studies used in Step 1 of the theory synthesis.

Our Studies	Key Conclusions for the Theory
1. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S. Time does not heal all wounds [23].	Consequences of violence against women: Physical symptoms: multiple health problems in the lower abdomen, widespread and chronic pain, sleeping problems, eating disorders (especially obesity), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes. Psychiatric symptoms: depression (and postpartum depression), anxiety, stress, fear, poor self-esteem, shame, guilt, self-harming behavior, alcohol and drug abuse, severe suicidal ideation; anger, sadness, melancholy, and disappointment; personality disorder, trauma disorder and social phobia. Social symptoms: difficulty with touch, sex and relationships with spouses, difficulty trusting men, exposure to all kinds of violence in adulthood, recurring physical, mental and/or sexual violence in a relationship or rape; great anxiety, stress and strain as a parent; seeking health services on a large scale but not reporting the violence—receiving little support but a large amount of medication.
2. Kristinsdottir, A.; Halldors-dottir, S. Constant stress, fear, and anxiety: The experience of women who have experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy and at other times [24].	Consequences of violence against women: Constant stress, fear, fright and anxiety; depression and great distress; increased violence during pregnancy; postpartum depression; broken self-confidence and decreased self-esteem; heavy flashbacks, difficult memories and nightmares; loneliness and isolation; guilt and shame; severe physical symptoms and eating disorders; feeling they cannot stand by themselves; difficulty trusting others; strong feelings of rejection.
3. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S. Silent suffering: Long-term consequences of sexual violence in youth for health and well-being of men and women [25].	Consequences of violence against women: In childhood: emotional pain, agony and anguish; always alert, always expecting something bad and felt their personal defenses had been broken down; self-blame and guilt; great secrecy, intimidation and humiliation; dissociation of body and soul; great fear and constant insecurity; not reporting the violence and receiving even more violence if they try. Adolescence was characterized by bullying and great distress; much teasing, few or no friends, isolation; directed their emotions inward and were repressed; usually experienced learning difficulties, dyslexia and attention deficit; most tried to be invisible; lived in constant fear; some started to use alcohol during adolescence to numb their emotional pain; had a variety of physical problems, e.g., myositis and pain, gastritis, migraine, headache, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness and fainting. Some engaged in self-harming behaviors and had suicidal thoughts, and some made suicide attempts. In adulthood: many problems in the lower abdomen, unexplained pain; difficulty sleeping, myositis, anxiety and depression, trying to numb the inner pain by using food, alcohol or drugs; self-destructive behavior, self-harming behavior; a strong feeling of rejection; escape, fear and isolation; severe, unexplained malaise; very broken self-image; little to no self-confidence and self-esteem; enormous emotional pain; failing to keep a job; many are on disability allowance.
4. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S. Repressed and silent suffering: Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for women’s health and well-being [26].	Consequences of violence against women: In childhood: They always felt “different” after the violence. Could not sleep at night and struggled with multiple psychological problems. Experienced attention deficit or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In adolescence: A difficult adolescence. Eating disorders. Drinking alcohol very young. Thoughts of suicide and, in some cases, suicide attempts. In adult years: Severe pain in the uterine area. Rheumatoid arthritis. Felt they lost the joy of life and the will to live following the violence. Depression. Always tired and lacking in energy. Strong feeling of rejection. Phobia and isolation. Difficulty maintaining normal relationships with others. Marriage problems.
5. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S.; Bender, S.S. Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being: Gender similarities and differences [27].	Consequences of violence against women: In childhood: Their emotional pain was directed inward and caused inner agony and despair, as well as deep and silent suffering. They experienced disconnection between their body and soul as well as great secrecy, threat, fear, and humiliation. They were always insecure, felt the need to be constantly vigilant, and always expected something bad to happen. They felt that their defenses had been broken down and experienced great vulnerability. They felt they were held responsible for the violence. In adolescence: experienced a broken self-image and a variety of physical and mental problems. In adulthood: All have struggled with problems in the lower abdomen, unexplained pain, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, multiple inflammation, and problems that often ended in hysterectomy. All of them have struggled with sleeping problems and various physical problems such as fibro- myalgia, high blood pressure, dizziness, endocrine problems, diabetes, lymphatic problems, nervous system problems, asthma, epilepsy and eating disorders (especially obesity).
6. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S. Screaming body and silent healthcare providers: A case study with a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivor [28].	Consequences of the violence against one woman: This was a case study. Since childhood, she has experienced complex and far-reaching physical and health consequences such as recurrent abdominal pain, widespread and chronic pain, sleeping problems, indigestion, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal problems, recurrent urinary tract infections, irregular periods, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies, endometrial hyperplasia, inflammation of the ovaries, uterine problems, and ovarian cancer. She told health professionals about her experience of sexual violence to increase their understanding of her health problems, but they remained silent and were unable to provide her with trauma-informed healthcare.
7. Sigurdardottir, S.; Halldors-dottir, S.; Bender, S.S.; Agnarsdottir, G. Personal resurrection: Female childhood sexual abuse survivors’ experience of the Wellness-Program [29].	Searching for internal healing of the consequences of sexual violence: The Wellness Program (Gæfusporin) was designed to promote the inner healing of women who had experienced sexual violence. The program lasted for 10 weeks with an organized program of 20 hours per week. A group of healthcare professionals used a holistic approach and provided holistic therapy individually, as well as group therapy, with an emphasis on the unity of body, mind, and soul. In their own view the most useful treatments for the women were as follows: group therapy where the emphasis was on sharing their experiences and gaining the support of other women who had experienced the same, as well as empowerment from supportive professionals; deep relaxation and hypnosis; body therapy with massage; trauma and stress education; craniosacral therapy; psychological group therapy with mindfulness; body therapy with an emphasis on dance; and body awareness therapy.