Understanding the Life of a Mother Who Has Experienced Childhood Abuse: Focusing on Qualitative-biographical Methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to deeply understand the life of mothers who experienced childhood abuse as the central focus of Schütze's biographical research methodology. The analysis results divided the life of mothers who had experienced childhood abuse into two categories: life as a child and life as a parent. First, life as a child was classified under the theme of “Living as a Wounded Child,” with sub-topics including “an existence that cannot receive help from anyone,” “repeated relationship failures,” and “dedicating their lives to their parents.” Second, life as a parent was classified under the theme of “Living as a Mom with Wounds,” with sub-topics including “a mother who cannot help her child and has failed in her relationship with them” and “starting healing by acknowledging the pain.” This study is significant in that it re-examines and deeply analyzes the life of mothers who are both victims and perpetrators of child abuse, and proposes counseling intervention directions and social support measures necessary for participants to heal their wounds and perform their roles as healthy mothers.