Citation

Pickering CE, Mentes JC, Moon A, Pieters HC, Phillips LR. J. Elder Abuse Negl. 2015; 27(4-5): 356-376.

Affiliation

d Center for the Advancement of Gerontological Nursing Science , University of California, Los Angeles , Los Angeles , California , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08946566.2015.1093987

PMID

26421508

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe, from the perspective of the adult daughter, the mother-daughter relationship in the context of chronic conflict. Grounded theory methodology was used. An online recruitment strategy was used to identify a sample of adult daughters (N = 13) who self-identified as having an abusive relationship with their aging mother. Data collection was completed through semi-structured telephone interviews. Daughters framed their relationship around their perceptions of past childhood injustices. These injustices invoked strong negative emotions. Daughters had equally strong motivations for sustaining the relationship, driven by desire to reconcile their negative experience through seeking validation and futile-hoping as well as a sense of obligation to do due diligence. Together these factors created an environment of inevitable confrontation and a relationship defined by chronic conflict.

FINDINGS from the study provide theoretical insights to the conceptualization of aggression, power relationships and the development of elder abuse and neglect.

Language: en