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Adolescent experiences of sense of self in the context of family violence in a South African community

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 27 , issue 2 : Identities in transitional societies , 2017 , pages: 180–184

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2017.1303118

Author(s): Charlene Petersen Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa , Herman Grobler School for Psycho-Social Behavioural Sciences, Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES), Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , Karel Botha School for Psycho-Social Behavioural Sciences, Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES), Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa

Keywords: adolescence , identity formation , experience of self , family violence and identity re-construction

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Abstract

This study explored the self-identity constructions of South African adolescents with a history of family violence. Twelve school learners were purposively selected for the study (11 females, ages 15-18 years). They completed semi-structured individual interviews. The data were thematically analysed. The findings suggest that the adolescents’ self-identities in the context of family violence seem to be characterised by polarities of love versus hate, protect versus blame, and compassion versus anger and resentment. The adolescents also self-defined in terms of coping and resilience despite elevated risks of self-harm behaviour.

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