The master's thesis examines how individuals experienced growing up in families with high-conflict parents and how they perceived the process of forgiving their parents in adulthood. Through qualitative research conducted with seven participants, it was determined how such an environment and life events shape an individual. The participants' childhood feelings regarding the conflictual environment, their perception of childhood and adolescent events in adulthood, and their perception of the primary family were studied. The research also focuses on the question of injustice that participants may have felt, and whether they believe they were deprived of a carefree childhood. Special emphasis was placed on the process of forgiveness, determining how individuals understood and experienced it, regardless of whether they had already completed their own process of forgiveness. The research also examines whether participants believe that forgiveness is essential for continuing a quality life.
Participants described their physical sensations during conflicts, their involvement in providing emotional support to parents, and feelings of personal safety or danger within the family environment. They also noted how the past remains present in the current moment and how feelings of resentment and injustice emerge. At the same time, the development of internal resources such as self-help, resilience, and gratitude is shown, along with the transformation of the relationship with oneself. An important dimension of the research was the process of forgiveness in adulthood, in which participants differentiated relationships, set boundaries, and occasionally distanced themselves from parents to take care of themselves. They gradually released emotional burdens, and for some, a new relationship with their parents was established, while others are still in the process of forgiveness. Participants gradually developed a more compassionate relationship with themselves through reflection on their own experiences, processing trauma with the help of various supportive practices, and strengthening internal resources. All of this led to them feeling greater inner balance and satisfaction, establishing higher quality relationships with other people in adulthood, and thereby contributing to a reduction in the risk of transmitting trauma to future generations.
Despite the limitations of the research, its results can help professionals create various forms of support that truly follow the needs of individuals with a history of growing up in families with high-conflict parents, regardless of whether they choose to forgive.
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