– Parents’ experiences with violence and abuse can impact their relationship with their children

What was the motivation for investigating the mothers’ parenting practices?

Previous research indicates that experiences with violence and abuse can have a range of adverse and serious consequences, both for the victim and their family. How parenting practices are affected when parents have had such experiences remains largely unexplored within a Norwegian context. We therefore wanted to investigate this further.

What do you consider the most important finding in the study?

An important overall finding is that the mothers, despite a demanding situation, report the use of what are called positive parenting strategies. They are consistent in their approach to the child and describe a close and good relationship with their child. The fact that mothers with their own experiences of violence and abuse report a higher level of conflict with their children than mothers without such experiences is also an important finding. This combination of strengths and vulnerability in the mothers is a central message of the study.

How do these mothers differ from other mothers in the general population?

A significant proportion of the mothers have experiences of violence themselves, and children who have been victims. They are therefore in a vulnerable situation that most mothers are not in. Nevertheless, the mothers report that they have close relationships with their children, and that their parenting practice is characterized by positive parenting strategies and consistency in how they interact with their children. When we compared mothers with and without their own experiences of violence, we found that the latter reported a higher level of conflict with their children. This was the only difference we found between the two groups.

What do these findings mean for professionals working with families exposed to violence?

The insight we have gained into parenting practices and the parent-child relationship in this group can potentially provide a better evidence-based foundation for developing tailored interventions and services for families in such situations.

The study addresses both the resources of this group of mothers and the challenges they may face in their relationships with their children. For professionals, this illustrates how important it is to both recognize strengths and simultaneously be aware of areas that can be demanding.

In particular, the findings indicate that conflict in the parent-child relationship may be an area where support is needed. Guidance in, for example, conflict management and communication may be especially relevant.

What does this mean for children who have been exposed to violence?

There are studies with results showing that a strong and good relationship between parent and child can function as a protective factor for children who have been victims of child abuse. When the mothers in this study report that they have good and close relationships with their children, it shows that there is a basis for further positive development.

At the same time, the study shows that parents’ own experiences with violence and abuse can impact the relationship between child and parent, and that some experience more frequent conflicts. The findings thus suggest that there may be a need for tailored assistance, and that interventions for families with these challenges could benefit from being directed at both children and parents, as well as the relationship between them.

What can this study lead to?

By highlighting both strengths and challenges, the study provides a more balanced picture of parenting practices in families characterized by experiences of violence and abuse, which I hope can contribute to, for example, reducing stigmatization.

Regarding research, there is a fair amount of international research literature on this topic, but in Norway, it is a field that needs more attention. I therefore hope that this study can create greater awareness of families in such situations, both in research and among decision-makers and politicians.

What are the limitations of the study?

The study has some limitations that are important to consider when interpreting the results. Firstly, the sample consists of mothers who have received help and are participating voluntarily in a week-long stay at the Stine Sofie Center. This means that the findings are not necessarily representative of all mothers in the same situation, such as those who have not been in contact with support services or sought help.

Read more about the study here.