NCJ Number
240498
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2012 Pages: 597-606
Date Published
August 2012
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effects of childhood abuse regarding parenthood for pregnant cohabitors from qualitative interviews.
Abstract
Using thematic analysis, the authors examine the effects of childhood abuse regarding parenthood for pregnant cohabitors from qualitative interviews. Participants (N=18; 10 women and 8 men) recalled childhood abuse during the Adult Attachment Interview. Three themes emerged: (1) "Learning what not to do," whereby abuse is discussed as something not to continue, and harmful toward children; (2) "Use but modify parents' discipline," whereby individuals state that they will employ methods of their parents, but in ways different for their children; and (3) "Ambiguous," whereby discussions are unclear and confused about how the abuse will affect their parenting. These results suggest that even when pregnant cohabitors want to parent differently than their own parents, they may not have relevant models or skills. For practitioners, the authors suggest interventions aimed at providing alternative models for how to parent, and effective and appropriate disciplining methods, as ways to deter intergenerational abuse. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.