1 Department of Social Work, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, United States of America.
2 Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.
3 Department of Social Work, Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(03), 1405-1418
Received on 04 August 2024; revised on 10 September 2024; accepted on 12 September 2024
Exposure to domestic violence in the home can have profound and long-lasting effects on children's mental health and development. An extensive body of research has demonstrated the links between witnessing domestic abuse and increased risks of psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in affected children. However, not all children exposed to violence experience negative outcomes, and interventions can help mitigate harm. This research aims to synthesize what is known about the multifaceted psychological consequences of domestic violence exposure for children and identify effective support strategies. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to understand prevalence rates, forms of abuse, and potential moderating and mediating factors. Key findings indicate that while abuse types, including physical, emotional, verbal, and financial violence, can all impact children's mental health, factors like age, gender, resilience characteristics, and social support networks influence outcomes. Trauma-focused therapies, parent-child interaction programs, play-based interventions, and school-based supports show promise as evidence-based approaches. Recommendations target collaboration between policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to strengthen legislation, implement multidisciplinary treatment, and conduct further longitudinal studies. The goal is to illuminate this critical issue and guide the development and evaluation of integrated systems of care focused on child wellness and family violence prevention.
Domestic Violence; Mental Health; Child Abuse; Women; Parenting; Children
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Ore-ofe Loveth Oluwajobi, Chidinma Favour Udechukwu and Toluwanimi Oreoluwa Arogundade. Understanding the impact of domestic violence on children's mental health and exploring effective intervention strategies. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(3), 1405-1418. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.3.2812