Introduction--Children Exposed to Interparental Violence: A Need for Additional Research and Validated Treatment Programs (From The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Children, P 1-10, 2003, Robert A. Geffner, Robyn S. Igelman, and Jennifer Zellner, eds. -- See NCJ-202075)

• NCJ Number: 202076
• Author(s): Robert A. Geffner; Robyn S. Igelman; Jennifer Zellner
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This overview of the effects of family violence on children addresses theoretical perspectives, research and methodological issues, resiliency factors, assessment and intervention, and forensic issues.

Abstract

The chapter notes that as a result of better awareness among researchers and practitioners, there has been a dramatic increase over the past 10 years in the amount of research that has focused on the symptoms, outcomes, and social functioning of children exposed to family violence. This research indicates that children who are exposed to violence between parents are at increased risk for a multitude of psychological, behavioral, social, and educational problems, as well as being at increased risk for becoming abusive themselves. Several theories have been proposed to explain why children exposed to interparental violence are at increased risk of developing social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Some theories mentioned in this chapter are social learning theory, family systems theory, theories on the intergenerational transmission of violence, and the perspectives of developmental psychopathology. A discussion of research and methodological issues indicates that studies of the effects of interparental violence on children have not yielded definitive conclusions regarding the ways in which exposure to this type of violence might affect specific emotional and behavioral outcomes in children. Methodological issues may help explain the differences in findings. Resiliency factors, which differ among children, also contribute to differing effects of interparental violence on children. In discussing assessment and intervention for children exposed to family violence, the chapter advises that a comprehensive assessment of such children must be conducted before treatment is initiated. The assessment should address the children's levels of self-esteem, depression, anger, anxiety, trauma, attitudes about power and control, communication and assertiveness skills, and social skills. The treatment should then be tailored to the needs identified in the assessment. Further outcome research is necessary in order to determine which treatments are most effective in reducing the variety of symptoms presented. The chapter includes a section on forensic and legal issues, since issues such as child custody and visitation are frequently associated with parental conflict and the factors that influence outcomes for children. 26 references