Voldsutøvende fedre og utviklingsstøtte. En kvalitativ studie om fedres emosjonelle samspill med sine barn

The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of how fathers engaging in domestic violence experience their relationship with their children, and its importance for developmental support in child care. The study is part of a larger collaborative study between Alternative to Violence (ATV) and Alcohol and Drug Resarch Western Norway (KORFOR). The study analysis is based on interviews of eight fathers who were undergoing voluntary treatment for violent behaviour in a Norwegian treatment facility. The fathers were interviewed with a Norwegian version of the Parent Development Interview Revised (PDI-R2; Slade, Aber, Berger, Bresgi, & Kaplan, 2003). The data was subjected to thematic content analysis. The results consist of six thematic categories describing the fathers' expectations, reflections, and behaviour in father-child interactions. The results indicate that fathers have positive expectations regarding their relationship with their children, and that they are able to engage in developmentally supportive father-child interactions. Further, results suggest that the fathers struggle with emotional self-regulation and mentalisation, which manifests itself in emotionally demanding father-child interactions. Finally, the results also suggest that the fathers have a limited understanding of the emotional development in children. These difficulties with emotional regulation, mentalisation and understanding can be seen as risk factors for suboptimal developmental support in father-child interactions