NCJ Number
185732
Journal
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2000 Pages: 321-342
Date Published
October 2000
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes and synthesizes research on the effects of exposure to conflict and domestic assault on children, identifies factors that appear to mediate and moderate the relationship between exposure to violence and effects of that exposure on child adjustment, and discusses treatment implications.
Abstract
The review reveals that the prevalence of children’s exposure to intimate partner violence has been estimated at 10 to 20 percent each year and that many children exposed to domestic violence appear to manifest negative effects. Limited research suggests the possibility of long-term effects such as lowered self-esteem and depression. Factors that moderate children’s responses to domestic violence include the nature of the discord, the child’s age and gender, exposure to other forms of maltreatment, and the presence of buffering factors such as social support. Mediating factors that may help explain why exposure to domestic violence is harmful to children include disrupted parenting, inadequate coping responses, and development of posttraumatic stress reactions. Findings suggest that group and individual intervention with children who witness partner abuse should focus around enhancing safety. Additional goals include better understanding of domestic violence and perpetrator responsibility for abuse, improved coping and problem solving, and facilitation of expression of feelings. Table, note, list of 5 suggested readings, and 84 references