Towards a richer understanding of school age childrens' experiences of domestic violence : the perspectives of children and their mothers

• Main Author: Swanston, Jennifer
• Published: University of Surrey 2011
• Subjects: 150
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.540703

Introduction: Domestic violence is a longstanding phenomenon, affecting children every day. Previous studies have attempted to characterise the negative impact on children, however few have considered how children manage, negotiate, and make sense of their experiences. More pertinently, there is a lack of research that speaks directly with schoolaged children living in the community, alongside their mothers, regarding exposure to domestic violence as a child. This study therefore sought to capture the dual-perspectives of school-aged children and their mothers, to develop a richer understanding of children's experiences of domestic violence, using a community-based sample. Method: A qualitative research design was employed, with interpretative phenomenological analysis used to interpret the data. The study utilised a dual-perspective approach by speaking in parallel with school-aged children and their mothers. Five schoolaged children and three of their mothers participated in the study. Results: Two master themes are discussed from the analysis of the children's perspective: Domestic violence through the eyes of children; and learning from children's experiences. Two master themes are discussed from the analysis of the mothers' perspective: Reflecting on the child in the context of domestic violence; and learning from mothers - insights, support and services. Conclusion: The crucial importance of the mother-child relationship in shaping children's experience of domestic violence was illustrated in both the perspectives; a finding which may have important implications for the development of interventions. It was also evident that children as young as eight were able to powerfully articulate their experiences of domestic violence.