Citation

Goldblatt H, Buchbinder E, Cohen R. Violence Against Women 2014; 20(5): 561-580.

Affiliation

Department of Welfare Services, Yoqne'am Illit, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801214535106

PMID

24838391

Abstract

Little knowledge exists on abused women's experience of motherhood following divorce. This qualitative study examined perspectives of 12 formerly abused Israeli women, using in-depth interviews.

FINDINGS revealed how women managed an ongoing dialogue between former motherhood in violence and significant changes in mother-children relationships after years of victimization and emotional concealment. All women were determined to repair the impact of violence on the mother-children bond. Some succeeded, whereas others could not reconcile painful relationships. The study findings suggest that understanding the familial dynamics is essential: mothers' new roles and children's potential reactions in this context. Implications for practice are discussed.

Language: en