Does experience of emotional invalidation in childhood lead to growth – a qualitative enquiry using Interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract Background Severe abuse is not the only variant of unpleasant experiences in childhood. Childhood maltreatment in the form of emotional invalidation is potent in shaping future behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive. Traumatic experiences in childhood are such occurrences in which the internal world of the child is thrown into a state of upheaval and disintegration. The very assumptions about this world which had been the source of psychological stability and coherence suddenly seem inaccurate. What follows is an arduous task of reconstructing the assumptions about this world while trying to maintain a delicate balance of attending to and ignoring various aspects of the traumatic event. Method This study tries to explore the lived experience of emotional invalidation in childhood in 5 adult participants who have reconstrued the meaning of such suffering and are leading a well-adjusted life through conduction of personal interview. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith et al, 2021) have been used for analysis and interpretation of the data. Results & Discussion The results reveal that survivors of emotional invalidation in childhood have been able to achieve a positive adaptation with life through their ability to actively disengage from the trauma by transformation of self and conscious acknowledgment. Their identity is no longer defined solely in terms of their “victimhood” but rather, in terms of newer possibilities in life or relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change and appreciation of life.