Children's perceptions of their parents in the context of domestic violence: A qualitative synthesis

Abstract

Background Children who are impacted by domestic violence [DV] hold multifaceted views regarding their perpetrating and non-perpetrating parents. Despite a need to better understand the complexity of these children's experiences, no attempts have yet been made to integrate the outcomes of previous studies. Objective The present study synthesized existing qualitative evidence regarding children's perceptions of their parents and the parent-child relationship in the context of DV. This was undertaken to gain further insight into the ways in which children understand and relate to both parents, and to aid clinicians who support impacted families. Methods Following a systematic search and quality appraisal, ten eligible studies were included for data analysis, using a thematic synthesis approach. Results Five analytical themes were identified, consisting of children's descriptions of their parent as someone who does not meet their physical or emotional needs, the perpetrating parent as someone who is overpowering and controlling, experiences of one's own parents being unlike other parents, the perpetrating parent as being either inherently bad and unchanging or varying in their character, and the non-perpetrating parent as a protective figure in the children's lives. Conclusions Findings highlighted children's acute awareness of the power dynamics of DV, the wide-ranging impacts that DV can have on the perceived quality of the parent-child bond and the diverse ways in which children manage their ongoing relationships with both parents. Understanding these varied perspectives will enable clinicians to tailor interventions, assist children in processing their relationships and enhance existing supports.