| Domestic violence is a phenomenon that has no barriers (Hyde, 2004) and affects one in four women (National Coalition Against DV, 2007). This quantitative and qualitative study looked at changes in the experience of violence before, during and after pregnancy among domestic violence victims. The study also looked at unplanned pregnancy and changes in the couple relationship and the contribution of these factors to violence. The quantitative study included forty participants and examined changes in violence by comparing the Conflict Tactic Scale 2, comparing conflict in the pregnant vs. the non-pregnant condition. In the qualitative study, eight women were interviewed and asked about changes in violence before, during and after pregnancy, about family planning and previous experiences of abuse. Information regarding client's attachment styles, experiences of childhood abuse and family planning were gathered.;Results indicated that violence persisted throughout the pregnancy but that physical abuse decreased during this time. Findings show that male partners became more controlling during the pregnancy and that unplanned pregnancy may have contributed to the need for control. The study showed a stark prevalence of unplanned pregnancy, 87.5% of the quantitative sample and 100% of the qualitative sample had unplanned pregnancies. The majority of the interview participants, 87.5% described how their unplanned pregnancy negatively affected their relationship.;Findings from the study are consistent with social learning theory in that the majority of individuals in both samples, 87% of the qualitative and 80% of the quantitative sample experienced and/or witnessed violence in childhood. These early experiences may have normalized this behavior and/or provided a platform for recreating or re-experiencing violence in close relationships. Findings from the qualitative sample also validate attachment theory by demonstrating that the majority of the women, 75% had insecure attachment styles. Their insecure relationship foundations in childhood may have led to an involvement in violent and/ or dysfunctional relationships in adulthood. |
