How domestic abuse, in the childhood of young fathers, informs their experience of fatherhood?
This study enhances the, growing, literature about the experiences of young fathers by addressing the gap in knowledge about how domestic abuse, as a child, impacts on their journey as young fathers. This study fits wholly within the SEDarc theme of Healthy, Thriving Communities and will use qualitative and quantitative elements to answer the research questions. An online survey, co-created with the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group, will generate data from a minimum of 100 participants to answer research questions, identify themes of experiences, and inform the qualitative element of the research.
Qualitative methods of enquiry using semi structured interviews, with 30 participants, will be completed and utilising photo elicitation methods. Through a sociological perspective this research will identify, explore, describe, understand, explain, and evaluate the experiences of young fathers with a child under 5 years of age who have experienced domestic abuse in childhood. Young fathers, between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age will be approached to participate in the research in England. This will be enabled through the researcher’s established links with men’s support organisations and professionals who work with young fathers.
Data and findings generated from this study will address questions focussed on how the experience of domestic abuse, affects, and informs their experiences and identities as young fathers. The impact of this research provides opportunities to enable the voice of young fathers to be heard and to influence policy and future interventions to support this group of parents.