Protective Strategies of Mothers Abused by Intimate Partners: Rethinking the Deficit Model

Abstract

Exposure to intimate partner violence is detrimental to children, but can abused mothers protect them, and, if so, what can they do? This study of 350 Canadian abused women represents the first quantitative examination of such protective strategies. The actions that mothers most commonly used and perceived as effective include showing affection and being nurturing to their children. The strategies often suggested by professionals, such as contacting police and obtaining protection orders, were used less and considered less effective than informal strategies. Professionals are urged to ask mothers what strategies they use, especially those who do not involve formal systems.

Mothering, Guiding, and Responding to Children: A Comparison of Women Abused and Not Abused by Intimate Partners

“…Other women may choose to assume the primary role of disciplinarian to protect their children. As only one example, an examination of other data from the HJ study indicates that abused women may discipline their child(ren) before their abusive partner does so to protect them from a more severe disciplinary response from their fathers (Nixon et al, 2017).…”

“…Lapierre reported that abused women typically strive to be “good” mothers and develop a range of strategies to achieve “good” mothering both within and subsequent to the abuse. Other researchers have identified protective strategies specific to women abused by intimate partners, used in an effort to mitigate the negative effects on children of exposure to the abuse (Davies & Krane, 2006; Haight et al, 2007; Nixon, Bonnycastle, & Ens, 2017; Nixon, Tutty, Radtke, Ateah, & Ursel, 2017). For example, women may attempt to protect their children from direct violence by temporarily removing them from the violent situation or by avoiding situations that may lead to violent outcomes.…”

Mothers in Mind: Exploring the Efficacy of a Dyadic Group Parenting Intervention for Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Their Young Children

“…Researchers have also found that, although elevations in stress are present in women with experiences of trauma and IPV, parenting capacity between individuals often varies (Letourneau et al, 2007;Nixon et al, 2017aNixon et al, , 2017b. In addition, the provision of a safe environment has been found to improve poor parenting (Edleson et al, 2003).…”

“…This body of research concludes that attention to the external impacts of abusive partners as well as maternal poverty or homelessness, which may contribute to feelings of stress and the lack of safety, are required to promote optimal caregiving. In the case of social work practice, specifically within child protection, some researchers recommend that providing advocacy and supportive services may do more for children exposed to domestic violence than investigative approaches (Friend et al, 2008;Nixon et al, 2017aNixon et al, , 2017bNixon et al, 2017aNixon et al, , 2017b. For example, interventions with survivors of IPV that lower depression and increase maternal sensitivity may also provide benefits for children (Manning et al, 2014;Martinez-Torteya et al, 2009).…”

Hiding and being hidden: The marginalisation of children’s participation in research and practice responses to domestic violence and abuse

“…Indeed, recent contributions to the literature demonstrate children's capacity as research participants and their ability to manage how they disclose experiences of domestic violence in a research setting (Callaghan et al, 2017), using strategies to avoid researchers' questions (Evang and Øverlien, 2015). However, beyond targeting specialist services that support children experiencing domestic violence, it can be difficult to reach this population since reports show that only small numbers of women and their children will seek formal supports through those services (Nixon et al, 2017). Similarly, the under-reporting of the issue suggests that many families experiencing violence and abuse, may never come into contact with specialist domestic violence services (McIntosh, 2003), making it difficult to reach children and young people within a broader community sample.…”