Date

4-7-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Lisa Marie Ansell

Keywords

advocacy, coercive control, family court system, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, voice

Disciplines

Counseling | Education

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of mothers of post-separation abuse who were involved in a family court system where rulings negatively impacted the safety and justice of victims. The guiding theories for this study were Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Coercive Control Theory. There were three research questions for the study, “How have mothers who have experienced PSA been adversely impacted by the rulings from the FCS in TN?,” “How do post-separation abused mothers describe the impact that the Family Court System had on their overall wellbeing?” and “How do post-separation abused moms describe how they overcame challenges within the Family Court System?” There were eleven participants who participated in virtual interviews that were audio-visual recorded and transcribed throughout the data collection process. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis to identify common themes from fifteen interview questions. The gap in the literature identified was a lack of qualitative data on the impacts PSA had on mothers and their children’s emotional, physical, and financial safety and wellbeing. Based on participant responses and perceptions, rulings from the family court systems have negatively impacted the lives of survivors to include mothers and children. Future research recommendations include more training and awareness for all parties associated with the family court system, mental providers, and advocates to better assist the needs of direct and indirect victims regarding safety and emotional wellbeing while going through legal proceedings family court systems.

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