From fear of isolation to belonging

• Main Author: Maria Ånonsen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Verlage 2014-06-01
• Series: Diaconia
• Subjects: domestic violence; children stories; relatedness; attachment; fear; image of god; neglect; parent-child relationship; life-expanding and life-narrowing narratives; emotional development; safety; diaconal approach
• Online Access: https://vr-elibrary.de/doi/10.13109/diac.2014.5.1.47

This article is an analysis of three children's stories about experiencing domestic violence from caregivers and parents.1 The following four psychological perspectives are the analytical starting points: attachment theory, affective theory, self-development and theory of the fragmented self. In addition to accounting for the different, yet coherent perspectives, I also reflect upon the psychology of religion, pointing out some thoughts about how human experience can be disturbed and shaken in relation to "a potential image of god."2 Furthermore, this short reflection inspires a discussion on how experience with domestic violence are challenging for the diaconal church and the procurement of faith.