A Multiple Case Study on the Family Dynamics of Clients Who Abuse Their Children

Objective: This study aimed to explore how the family dynamics of child abuse perpetrators changed over time and how abusive behaviors toward children were formed and repeated by analyzing three family cases that participated in family therapy due to child abuse issues. Methods: A multiple case study method was employed. Counseling transcripts and session notes were collected as data, and thematic analysis was conducted. The flow of dynamics leading to abusive behavior was visualized in the form of a network. Results: The process of child abuse was identified in four stages: (1) deprivation and suppression (2) alienation and repetition (3) loss and isolation (4) transference and explosion. Conclusions: The findings indicate that child abuse does not stem solely from individual or parental traits, but is formed and repeated within systemic dynamics of the family, particularly through intergenerational emotional transference and patterns of interaction. This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding child abuse from a family therapy perspective.