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Childhood emotional abuse as a cause of adult dysfunction

M.A. / This study originated from the researcher's interest in the affect of childhood emotional abuse on the adult. From practice experience there seemed to be a relationship between adult clients' current dysfunctional behavioural patterns and relationships and their experience of emotional abuse as a child. This research investigation aimed at detecting and exploring childhood experiences of emotional abuse in adult respondents. The various aspects of the adults' life that were affected by the experiences of childhood emotional abuse were explored and a theoretically discussion of this phenomenon was presented as an explanation for adult dysfunction. A qualitative research methodology was utilised to explore the diverse recollections of childhood experiences and their current functioning among the respondents. This choice of methodology was applied due to the exploratory aim of the study and its objectives: i.e. to capture the lived experiences of the respondents. The researcher utilized an entire adult caseload consulted during the period of March 2000 to July 2001, as respondents for the study. Data was collected by means of in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted with respondents. An interview schedule was used for this purpose. A second data-collection method was used. This was done by the interpretation of visual representations obtained during interviews. Data analysis was done according to coding schedules that were generated by the utilization of a computer programme for the analysis of qualitative research data. From this process of data coding central categories and sub-categories were identified. These categories and subcategories were discussed as the themes and sub-themes from the study. These themes were presented as the results ofthe study.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:1966
Date25 January 2012
CreatorsErrera, Jeanine
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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