The Integrated Model: Dynamic Changes in Mother–Child Relationship in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine the explicit and implicit aspects of mother–child relationship to explain changes in the relationship led by changes in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) over time. The explicit mother–child relationship involves verbal and conscious communications, while the implicit relationship consists of nonverbal and nonconscious interactions. Method Grounded Theory was employed to assert the participant perspectives as most important. Participants included 33 Chinese mother–child survivors (13 mothers and 20 children) who were residents and ex-residents of a shelter for abused women and their children in Hong Kong. Data on their explicit relationship was collected from qualitative individual interviews. An art-based method, Joint Painting Procedure (JPP), was applied to obtain dyadic mother–child data on their implicit relationship. Results The integrated model, “Dynamic changes in mother–child relationship in the context of IPV”, was grounded in three main parts of findings. First, the participants’ intersecting social identities and backgrounds. Second, the changes in their explicit relational dynamics led by the transitions in the context of IPV. Third, their bidirectional and reciprocal implicit relational dynamics elicited through their JPP and post-painting discussions. Conclusion The integrated model has significant implications for professional interventions at the post-separation stage. First, IPV is an intersectional social problem requiring social and policy changes, and consideration of diversities among mother–child survivors. Second, the mother–child relationship and the context of IPV are dynamic and changing instead of static. Third, the implicit relationship provides a new dimension for professional interventions to strengthen the mother–child relationship.