The Impact of Domestic Violence in Early Childhood on Adulthood

Abstract

This paper explores the ways in which experiences of domestic violence in early childhood shape adult relationships and sense making of violence in adult life. Our data consists of interviews with 10 people who experienced domestic violence, most of them before the age of 9 and who also experienced inhibition, depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts with parents and partners in their adult life. Relationship with parents were severed; gender differences in couple relationships manifested in man interviewees trying not to be aggressive, while in women interviewees struggling with being the target of violence in their relationships. All interviewees believed that violence is not a way to solve problems.