Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion
Interventions to support mothers experiencing interpersonal violence are critical, yet most evaluation research focuses on outcome evaluation, rather than understanding the pathways of change. The goal of the current study was to understand, via mothers’ own perspectives, the specific key pathways t...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/739 |
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| author | Kirsten MacAulay Naomi C. Z. Andrews Mary Motz Gloria J. Lee Debra J. Pepler |
| author_facet | Kirsten MacAulay Naomi C. Z. Andrews Mary Motz Gloria J. Lee Debra J. Pepler |
| author_sort | Kirsten MacAulay |
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| description | Interventions to support mothers experiencing interpersonal violence are critical, yet most evaluation research focuses on outcome evaluation, rather than understanding the pathways of change. The goal of the current study was to understand, via mothers’ own perspectives, the specific key pathways through which participation in an interpersonal violence intervention resulted in perceptions of change for mothers and their children. The participants (<i>N</i> = 43, 18–43 years old) were mothers who attended and completed a 6–8-week interpersonal violence intervention within 11 community organizations across Canada. Approximately 1–2 months following the intervention, participants completed semi-structured interviews or focus groups wherein they were asked open-ended questions about their experiences in the intervention. Using a phenomenological approach, the results indicated that (1) mothers were able to identify changes in their cognitions and behaviors across three key domains (self, relationships, and parenting), (2) mothers linked these changes to their experiences in the intervention. We integrated and mapped the perceived pathways of change experienced by mothers, which included critical pathways involving self-compassion and self-forgiveness leading to self-esteem and empowerment. The results have implications for our ability to effectively deliver this interpersonal violence intervention, as well as more broadly to improve our understanding of the pathways of change for mothers experiencing violence in relationships. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61d8fefc630042068bf2b4ff4758cebe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-61d8fefc630042068bf2b4ff4758cebe2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-05-0115673910.3390/bs15060739Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-CompassionKirsten MacAulay0Naomi C. Z. Andrews1Mary Motz2Gloria J. Lee3Debra J. Pepler4Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, CanadaDepartment of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, CanadaEarly Intervention Department, Mothercraft, 393 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1L3, CanadaEarly Intervention Department, Mothercraft, 393 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1L3, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, CanadaInterventions to support mothers experiencing interpersonal violence are critical, yet most evaluation research focuses on outcome evaluation, rather than understanding the pathways of change. The goal of the current study was to understand, via mothers’ own perspectives, the specific key pathways through which participation in an interpersonal violence intervention resulted in perceptions of change for mothers and their children. The participants (<i>N</i> = 43, 18–43 years old) were mothers who attended and completed a 6–8-week interpersonal violence intervention within 11 community organizations across Canada. Approximately 1–2 months following the intervention, participants completed semi-structured interviews or focus groups wherein they were asked open-ended questions about their experiences in the intervention. Using a phenomenological approach, the results indicated that (1) mothers were able to identify changes in their cognitions and behaviors across three key domains (self, relationships, and parenting), (2) mothers linked these changes to their experiences in the intervention. We integrated and mapped the perceived pathways of change experienced by mothers, which included critical pathways involving self-compassion and self-forgiveness leading to self-esteem and empowerment. The results have implications for our ability to effectively deliver this interpersonal violence intervention, as well as more broadly to improve our understanding of the pathways of change for mothers experiencing violence in relationships.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/739intimate partner violenceviolence against womeninterventionparenting self-compassion |
| spellingShingle | Kirsten MacAulay Naomi C. Z. Andrews Mary Motz Gloria J. Lee Debra J. Pepler Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion Behavioral Sciences intimate partner violence violence against women intervention parenting self-compassion |
| title | Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion |
| title_full | Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion |
| title_fullStr | Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion |
| title_short | Perceived Pathways of Change in an Interpersonal Violence Intervention for Mothers: The Importance of Self-Compassion |
| title_sort | perceived pathways of change in an interpersonal violence intervention for mothers the importance of self compassion |
| topic | intimate partner violence violence against women intervention parenting self-compassion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/739 |
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