A phenomenological hermeneutic study of the imaginative play of young children staying at a shelter for abused women.

Abstract

This qualitative study of the imaginative play of four young child witnesses of marital violence staying at a shelter for abused women used a phenomenological hermeneutic method to conduct a rigorous and systematic analysis, description and interpretation of their play in relation to their experiences. The data for each of the two boys and two girls came from three one hour play sessions and an interview with their mothers. Studies which have conducted thematic analyses of the imaginative play of child witnesses of marital violence have tended to reduce the play to a few predetermined general categories of play. The current discovery-oriented study used a phenomenological method to describe play themes in a manner which tried to remain faithful to the naturally unfolding play as a whole. The following play themes were found in the imaginative play of most of the children: physical aggression, no communication between parents, defensive preparations in anticipation of physical threats, and dealing with physical threats and being homeless. The themes of destruction and the consistent presence of a father in the family were only found in the boys' play. The themes of needing a caring mother, mothers unable to protect their children and being separated or losing someone were only found in the girls' play. In clinical case studies of mostly male child witnesses of marital violence, play therapists' interpretations of their imaginative play have been primarily influenced by psychodynamic theories. The present study used a hermeneutic method to bracket the influence of play theories and personality theories on the interpretation of the play themes in relation to the children's experiences. The researcher discovered patterns in the meanings of the children's play themes which could be related to shared and unique experiences and their gender. The present study increases our understanding of the imaginative play of young boys and girls staying at a shelter for abused women and indirectly provides insights into what these children might feel and think about their past and present experiences.