Citation

Henry DL. Soc. Work Health Care 2001; 34(3-4): 283-298.

Affiliation

Temple University Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12243429

Abstract

Using a grounded theory qualitative research, this study explored the strategies used by children to cope with abusive home environments. Through a series of three interviews, a group of adolescents and child care professionals were asked their perceptions regarding protective factors of resilience. These were then categorized into common patterns that emerged as five themes showing a progression of skills used by adolescents who were maltreated as children. These themes are: loyalty to parents, normalizing of the abusive environment, establishing a sense of safety through a perception of invisibility to the abuser, self value, and a future view. This research adds important knowledge to the body of practice skills in working with abusing families. Those children who have developed methods to cope provide us with valuable tools to assist other children who may continue to live in abusing environments.

Language: en