The impact of violence on mothers’ and children’s needs during and after parental separation

Abstract

Men’s violence against mothers and children as a context of separation significantly increases the immediate and longer‐term parenting needs of affected children, according to a South Australian study of single mothers’ transition and adaptation to living in a single parent household. Qualitative research interviews with 18 separated mothers who cited violence as the main reason for ending their relationship included mothers’ views on how the violence had impacted on their children. Mothers who had fled violence named continuing concerns with their children’s behaviour including withdrawal, anxiety and aggression, as well as the children’s continuing exposure to violence during contact with their father. These mothers reported that access to professionals to seek help with their concerns about their children’s needs was often inadequate.

Keywords:

• Qualitative
• Violence
• Single Mothers
• Parenting needs

Notes

University of South Australia, delissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies, McGill, SA, Australia.

All names are pseudonyms.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elspeth McInnes

University of South Australia, delissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies, McGill, SA, Australia.