The perception of daily reality among children exposed to their father’s violence against their mother: An intense bi -polar experience

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Abstract

The present article explores the phenomenology of the experiences of children exposed to their father’s violence toward their mother. The study focused on the children’s experience of the violence at each stage of the escalating parental conflict. The study sample included 27 children, of both genders, between the ages of seven and 12 years. They were sampled from families living with intimate violence, according to social workers’ reports in centers for the prevention and treatment of violence around Israel. The children underwent in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study findings reveal that the children perceive their daily reality as the merging of two intense experiences: deep emptiness and extreme fullness. These two coexisting experiences are mutually strengthening and create a relationship of tension and acceptance. The sense of emptiness and fullness are an outcome of the daily family interaction and of the children’s role in the escalating interparental conflict; a role that is directed by clearly defined parental guidelines. The article discusses the implications of the findings for theory and practice. (From the article)
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)326-345
Number of pages20
Journalטיפול באמנויות
Volume5
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

מחקר איכותני מבוסס על ראיונות חצי מובנים

IHP Publications

  • ihp
  • Family violence
  • Men
  • Parent and child
  • Reality

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