| Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceived influence of childhood attachment bonds on the spousal bonds of heterosexual partners who have experienced male-to-female violence in their relationship. Procedure. Six participating couples were randomly chosen from a group of partners who had undergone a minimum of 10 weeks treatment for spousal abuse at a regional family violence agency. An interviewer familiar to participants as the person who oversaw their counseling conducted two information-gaining interviews with each partner. Interviews were based on McCracken's (1988) long interview model and adapted to Colaizzi's (1978) design for phenomenological study. Two interviews were held with each of 12 participants. All interviews took place at Family Haven Crisis and Resource Center and were audiotaped and transcribed. In the first interviews, participants were asked for biographical data and then asked about childhood, attachment experiences. Following each interview, participants' descriptions were read, transcribed verbatim, and significant experiences were noted. In second interviews, participants were asked how significant attachment-related experiences related in first interviews might have influenced their marriages. Following each second interview, participants' narratives were read, transcribed, and significant childhood-to-marital connections were noted. After all interviews were completed, all interviews were re-read, and significant childhood and marital experiences were sorted for themes related to attachment. In a third meeting with participants, findings were confirmed and permission to use specific verbatim statements was given. Results. Six attachment-related themes arose from analysis of the data: abandoned, comfortless, powerless, confused, unworthy, and helpless. From descriptions given by the participants, physical or sexual abuse contributed to their low self-worth; living with uncontrollable combat, to their confusion and powerlessness; having no one to count on, to their discomfort and distrust of self and others; and being alone and estranged from others, to their feeling abandoned and vulnerable. All participants believed their childhood experiences with caregivers had negatively influenced their lives and marriages. Participants also reported that understanding these influences had helped them change their behavior within their marriages. In addition, participants noted that talking about their experiences—rather than filling out questionnaires, or answering someone's questions—had encouraged honesty and increased their understanding of themselves and their history. Conclusions. This study points out advantages of an attachment perspective in studying intimate adult relationships that are violent. The study also indicates advantages of qualitative interviews in promoting trust and thereby allowing entry into studying violent relationships and also combines clinical mental health practice and careful research at family violence settings. |