Abstract

Background: Violence, as a multi-level and complex phenomenon, can persist in various forms across generations of a family. Therefore, individuals' perception and interpretation of the type, intensity, and manner of encountering violence in the family of origin plays a decisive role in the transmission and reproduction of intergenerational violence experiences.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate how family of origin violence is reflected in couples' relationships.

Method: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and data-driven method. The participants of the study included 23 couples from Kerman in 1402 who were selected through purposive sampling from various counseling centers in the city. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Open, axial, and selective coding methods were used to analyze the data. Lincoln and Guba's criteria of credibility, transferability, reliability, and confirmability were also used for the validity and reliability of qualitative research.

Findings: The results of the study showed that intergenerational violence can be explained in the form of a paradigmatic model that includes causal conditions (family of origin structure, current family structure, personality structure), intervening conditions (risk-causing), contextual conditions (emotional disconnection, sexual problems, persistence of unhealthy boundaries, barriers to disclosure of violence), strategies (constructive behaviors, destructive behaviors), and finally consequences (desirable experiences, undesirable experiences). Conclusion: In general, it can be concluded that children's perception of violent behaviors between parents does not always lead to the transmission of violence in relationships with spouses and children, and several factors play a role in this process. The extent, intensity, and type of individuals' perception of bitter childhood experiences and, subsequently, the type of individuals' exposure to such experiences play an important role in the formation or interruption of the cycle of intergenerational violence.Accordingly, designing preventive and therapeutic interventions focusing on childhood experiences and strengthening the presence of needed support and protective resources can be effective in supporting affected families.