Siblings’ relationship within a domestic violence context : a case study

Abstract

The research aimed to gain a holistic understanding of how domestic violence (D.V.) affects the siblings’ relationship in the Maltese context. The main research question of this study is: What is the experience of the siblings’ relationship in the context of domestic violence between their parents/caregivers? This research was guided by a case study design, through using semistructured interviews with one family, involving three siblings and their mother. Professionals who worked with the family were additionally interviewed. A Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach (Braun, Clarke, Hayfield & Terry, 2019) was adopted to analyse the themes that emerged from the interviews. Using a systemic perspective enabled the researcher to focus on the siblings’ relationship, and how this supported the siblings during the domestic violence experience. The findings include the different roles that the siblings took while going through this experience. The siblings’ divided loyalty to their parents was also evident. Furthermore, the themes of trauma, resilience, justice-seeking, and the effects that such themes left on the sibling relationship were also important. Additionally, the mother’s support in safeguarding the sibling relationship was relevant in this research. It further transpired that, although the siblings experienced the domestic violence events differently, their sibling relationship was very important for them. This study also included recommendations for practice and research that the professionals can adopt to support sibling relationships while going through domestic violence.