From risk to resilience : adult survivors of childhood violence talk about their experiences

Douglas, Judith

From risk to resilience : adult survivors of childhood violence talk about their experiences Thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Work. Douglas, Judith - Wellington Victoria University of Wellington 1998 - 102 p.

Thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Work.

This thesis explores the resilience and coping strategies of adults who experienced abuse as children, but who did not go on to become perpetrators. The research involved qualitative interviews with 7 women and 1 man. The interviews highlighted the coping mechanisms used by the participants in order to survive the abuse and reject the use of violence within their current relationships. The participants identified four external sources of strength that helped with developing these coping strategies: their current partner's support; the support from wider family members; school support and education; and their belief system and church support. These external influences affected the participants' own understandings and behaviour in a positive way. The author maintains that the findings point to the need for social work to be inclusive of family and community, and not just focus on individuals who have experienced domestic violence.

nz


CHILDREN
COMMUNITIES
INTERVENTION
NEGLECT
RELIGION
SOCIAL SERVICES
THESES
TREATMENT
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
PREVENTION
CHILD ABUSE

362.76 FRO