Adolescents’ Experiences of Parental Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Qualitative Literature

Abstract

There is a growing body of qualitative research documenting the experiences of children growing up in the context of parental intimate partner violence (PIPV). Adolescents form an especially vulnerable group; yet there persists a systematic marginalization of their PIPV experiences in child maltreatment and violence exposure research. Qualitative research on adolescent PIPV perspectives can potentially amplify their voices and emphasize their unmet support needs and their developmentally unique strengths in achieving resilient outcomes. This can further inform adolescent- and youth-specific community and clinical intervention development and larger policy reform. This qualitative literature review includes 33 studies identified through an online research database search. Qualitative or mixed methods primary research studies that sampled adolescent participants aged from 13 to 19 years, published in English in peer-reviewed journals, and objectivizing any aspect of adolescent PIPV experience were included. Quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist. Findings across studies were synthesized into eight overarching themes: Stifled Freedom and Autonomy; The Parentified Protector; Coping through Mental Escape, Creative Expression, and Cultural Identity; Older, Stronger, and Smarter during PIPV; Polyvictimization; Gender, Violence Acceptability and Dating Violence; and Felt Support Needs. This review sets the agenda for further qualitative, adolescent-first inquiry into the experiences of adolescents growing up with interparental violence, especially in low- to middle-income countries where intimate partner and spousal violence along with children and adolescents’ experience of it are doubly prevalent compared to the developed world.