RT Article
T1 Coping Strategies in Women and Children Living with Domestic Violence: Staying Alive
JF Journal of family violence
VO 39
IS 4
SP 553
OP 565
A1 Winfield, Alexis
A2 Hilton, N. Zoe
A2 Poon, Julie
A2 Straatman, Anna-Lee
A2 Jaffe, Peter G. 1948-
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1886411743
AB PurposeChildren exposed to domestic violence are at risk of adverse short- and long-term psychosocial effects and of being abused themselves. However, mothers and children face systemic gaps when seeking safety from domestic violence services and police. Safety planning typically focuses on women, overlooking their multiple social identities and excluding their children. We explored safety strategies used by mothers and children coping together with severe domestic violence.MethodInterviews with 30 mothers who experienced severe or potentially life-threatening domestic violence and 5 adults who experienced domestic violence in childhood were qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis, revealing five major themes: ongoing communication, appeasing the abuser, soothing activities, exposure reduction, and fostering independence.ResultsInterpreting participants’ experiences in terms of the mother-child dyad, we found that mothers and their children worked together to reassure each other, keep each other safe, and make plans to leave their abuser.ConclusionsSafety planning for the mother-child dyad could build on children’s existing coping strategies and recognize and support children’s desire to protect their mother and themselves effectively and safely according to their developmental stage.
K1 Safety planning
K1 Mothers
K1 domestic violence
K1 Coping
K1 Children
DO 10.1007/s10896-022-00488-1