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A retrospective study on African American experiences of witnessing male to female intimate partner violence (IPV) as low-income youth and the impact on adolescent self-identity and development
Dissertation   Open access

A retrospective study on African American experiences of witnessing male to female intimate partner violence (IPV) as low-income youth and the impact on adolescent self-identity and development

Candice P. Cooper
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6129
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Abstract

Family psychotherapy Couples therapy
This qualitative retrospective study examined lived experiences of African American males and females whom witnessed male to female intimate partner violence (IPV) as low-income youth. Race, class, experience of witnessing IPV, and impact on self-identity and development were explored to gain a more in-depth understanding of the collective meaning of these variables to participants. Few studies in the field of couple and family therapy have focused on IPV, particularly in African Americans (Avis, 1992; Bograd, 1999; McDowell & Jeris, 2004). Thus this study endeavored to contribute to the family therapy literature on IPV and African Americans. Ten African American adult males and females from low-income backgrounds were sampled using semi-structured interviews. Developmental-ecological theory was the theoretical framework for this study and data analysis was conducted utilizing a retrospective integrative phenomenological approach (Giorgi, 1997; Moustakas, 1994; van Manen, 1990). Findings revealed the following: loss of safety; feelings of helplessness though some participants tried to protect their mothers/caregivers despite the danger; growing up quickly and loss of childhood; independence; and issues in adolescence (violence in dating relationships, emotional distress and risky behaviors). Further, participants reported that it was very difficult to be a low-income youth due to their exposure to violence, poverty, and other dangerous situations within the community. Consequently, there was a large impact on participants' self-identity and development. Participants saw themselves as products of their environment, specifically since they not only had to deal with the structural inequities of being low-income but also African American. Remarkably, participants attributed their resiliency and tenacity to negative experiences and believed they were better individuals because of them.

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