"She can feel how trapped I feel" : experiences of mothering children impacted by the trauma of domestic violence

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the lived experience of parenting a child exposed to the trauma of domestic violence. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology was utilised to interview eight mothers of primary school aged children. Results yielded rich data in four Superordinate themes of: Being a Good Mother; Connection and Disconnection; Boundaries and The Future. Overall, findings indicated the conflicts, tensions and paradoxes, as well as the reciprocity of mothering a child exposed to the trauma of domestic violence. Results add depth and a greater understanding into processes such as guilt in the parenting of children exposed to violence. Clinical implications and future research is suggested, as well as the limitations of the study.