The effects, as perceived by young adults, of having witnessed intimate partner violence as a child, with a special focus on relationships

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to understand and examine the perspective of eight young adults who have witnessed intimate partner violence as children and how possible effects of these experiences (both short or long term) may have been carried through to their adulthood, with a special focus on the participants’ personal relationships, including family relationships and intimate relationships. The interviews were conducted with participants between the ages of 18 and 35 that were chosen through the use of non-probability purposive sampling. The interviews were semistructured, and they were analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). Two main themes were highlighted in the findings, the first major theme being the long-term effects consisting of two main sub-themes: externalising and internalising behaviours. The second major theme was that of personal relationships and it consisted of two main subthemes: family relationships and intimate relationships. From such findings, it was concluded that the participants’ traumatic experience impacted their childhood and some of the effects were carried on through to their adulthood. Some of the recommendations include educating children from a young age, for example raising awareness in schools and discussing such issues and including these topics in the school curriculum. Also, children should be provided with professional help from a young age in order to avoid blaming themselves for the situation they live in. Additionally, when it comes to the workplace, colleagues should be more supportive and there should also be some kind of special leave for those individuals who are experiencing any type of violence and who might want to attend sessions or meetings that will help them.