Can Sense of Coherence Indicate Resilience and Mitigate the Cycle of Violence in Parenting?

Background: Harsh parenting practices during childhood have long-term negative effects on children’s mental health. A focus of nursing care on women’s resilience should be implemented because mothers who have experienced violence tend to be harsh parents. Aim: This study investigated the association between mothers’ violent experiences and harsh parenting (HP) and examined the effects of a sense of coherence (SOC) on this association, assuming that SOC can be an indicator of resilience. Method: In this prospective cohort study of 487 mothers, data were collected on SOC and history of intimate partner violence (IPV) at 1 year after childbirth and HP of their child at 18 months after childbirth. Results: In the 277 responses analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis, a strong SOC moderating the effect on HP was observed for current IPV and witnessing IPV in childhood, but not for experiencing childhood corporal punishment. Discussion: SOC is a useful indicator of resilience in female victims of violence and is effective in regulating stress spillover. However, its effects are weakened by the learned acquisition aspect of violence. Conclusion: In nursing, providing support to alleviate stress and relearn parenting based on an assessment of the mother’s history of violence and SOC as the resilience indicator is important in curbing HP.