"Education, Faculty of"@en . "Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of"@en . "DSpace"@en . "UBCV"@en . "Douglas, Stephen"@en . "2009-03-10T17:34:40Z"@en . "1997"@en . "Master of Arts - MA"@en . "University of British Columbia"@en . "It is estimated that over 500,000 Canadian homes live with family violence (B.C./Yukon Society of Transition Houses, 1995). Research in the past decade has examined the\r\nrelationship between spousal abuse and childhood adjustment assessed through behavior. The cognitive-emotional\r\nprocesses through which a child attempts to adjust to a domestic atmosphere of violence, however, remain largely unexplored.\r\nThis study therefore sought to gain insight into the internal working models of children who witness domestic violence. Twenty-five children between the ages of 7 and 12\r\nwere interviewed using the projective technique of storytelling, prior to participating in the Children Who\r\nWitness Abuse Program operated by three Lower Mainland Vancouver agencies. Their temperament was rated along the dimensions of Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability by\r\nthe group counsellors at the end of the ten-week program using the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory (Buss & Plomin, 1984). Subjective observations of behavioral styles\r\nwithin the group were also'noted. This was an exploratory study. In the analysis, life\r\nscripts were identified from the stories narrated by these children. Individually, each child's cognitive interpretations, affective experience, and developmental\r\nneeds were examined to suggest an appropriate therapeutic response. Three clusters of life scripts were identified.\r\nOne cluster includes children with the life script, \"You can/must figure it out/solve the problem/ fix it.\" The second cluster expresses, \"I must get what I want.\"\r\nThe third cluster shares a common perception, \"The world is a dangerous place, so...\" The conclusion to this script\r\nvaries, according to which the study has identified five subgroups; \"...get help,\" \"...you will feel sad,\" \"...get\r\naway and hide,\" \"...you'll get hurt,\" and \"...don't worry, it will get better and you will feel happy then.\" These\r\nclusters aid counsellors and group facilitators in recognizing children's adjustment processes and needs. In the discussion, the intermediary role of\r\ntemperament was examined. Results were evaluated according to the Cycle-of-Violence Hypothesis, family systems, attachment theory, and literature on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Finally, the role of variables cited in previous studies was considered, including gender, time since\r\nseparation, shelter versus non-shelter populations, position within their family constellation, ongoing contact with the abusive parent, parents' abuse of drugs or\r\nalcohol, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse experienced directly by the children.\r\nThe merits of the storytelling interview as an intake instrument have been demonstrated. This study has generated tentative hypotheses to be tested for validity through\r\nfuture research. This may contribute to our understanding of the affective and cognitive interpretations of children who witness domestic abuse that, in turn, can enhance their therapists' interventions."@en . "https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/5831?expand=metadata"@en . "10744732 bytes"@en . "application/pdf"@en . "A NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STORIES OF CHILDREN WHO WITNESS DOMESTIC ABUSE by STEPHEN DOUGLAS B.A., The University of Toronto, 1984 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES Department of Counselling Psychology We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA March, 1997 Copyright 1997 by Stephen Douglas In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. 1 further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of CoaM\^g\VAQ ^$y