How Do Females Who Witnessed Interparental Violence in Childhood Make Sense of and Experience Romantic Relationships: A Qualitative Research in the Sample of Turkey

Abstract

Witnessing violence between parents during childhood has an impact on individuals' attachment and romantic relationship behaviors. As a result, individuals have expectations according to the attitudes, beliefs, and values that constitute a healthy and unhealthy relationship, which they developed both their early and childhood experiences, and they can act accordingly. Therefore, this study aimed to qualitatively explore the way in which adult women who witnessing inter-parental intimate partner violence (IPV) in childhood, qualities characterize a romantic relationship in terms of being healthy and unhealthy, and their self-reflective statements about their relationships. The research was carried out according to a descriptive phenomenological design. The participants of the study consisted of 16 females aged between 23–58 (M = 40.62, SD = 11.67), 12 of whom were married and 4 of whom have a romantic relationship. According to the results of the analysis, the participants were able to reveal the characteristics that make up healthy and unhealthy relationships, but they stated problems with verbal and psychological violence in their relationships, open communication, and investment in the relationship. In addition, the participants expressed the conflict behaviors that they and their partners use. The findings are discussed with the literature studies and suggestions for future research are offered.