Children Exposed to Domestic Violence at Home

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence at Home Introduction The ideal role of a home and family is to provide the family members with peace and security. Many children depend on the parents for their nurturing support whenever exposed to crises and emotional disturbances. However, the present day homes are increasingly turning into dangerous place for members, particularly women and children. Being reared in a violent environment may be a terrifying experience that impacts on one’s life and development. Even though domestic violence occurs within the confines of a home, its impact transcend into the entire society as depicted by increased number of homeless children, and emergence hospitalizations among others. Continued incidences of conflicts in the family often impair the ability of the parents to offer their children necessary emotional and nourishing support.

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Parents living under constant conflict frequently become emotionally numb, depressed and irritable, and they cannot be relied upon to provide emotional support to these children (Adamson & Thompson, 1998). In a family where one spouse is the victim and the other is the perpetrator of violence, children are deprived of support, emotional and mental health since they cannot seek them from their parents. The impact on children who have been exposed to abuse in the home is subject to a greater potential of perpetuating learned abuse patterns, both behavioral and psychological, than children growing up in a healthy home.

Most domestic violence is directed towards women, who in turn have been shown to be relied on more by children in the development of children’s skills to cope with crises. As a result of the violence directed towards them, battered women use most of their time safeguarding themselves, hence their parenting roles are affected and may not avail emotional support for the children. Studies have also shown that battered mothers employ extreme measure of discipline and portray increased aggression towards the children (Adamson & Thompson, 1998). Child exposure to violence in homes has received much recognition by researchers and policy makers as detrimental to healthy development. Violence in the home predisposes children to risks such as exposure to traumatic events, neglect and abuse, in addition to the potential of losing their loved ones. This may lead to detrimental results impacting on their health, safety and stability (Wolfe et al., 1995). Most often, the maltreatment of children and domestic violence associate are interrelated.

Statistical overview of children exposed to domestic violence Domestic violence is a huge public health issue affecting millions of families across the world every year. According to UNICEF statistics, an estimated 133 to 275 million children are exposed to violence in their homes annually in the universe (UNICEF, 2006). In America,

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studies show that more than 12 percent of families experience partner aggression, and close to 5 percent of the domestic violence involve parents and children. It is also estimated that between one and two children out of ten children are exposed to adult violence in their homes each year in the United States. This means that each year, between 7 to 14 million children witness adult or caregiver violence in their homes annually in the United States (UNICEF, 2006).

Factors that determine the outcome of exposure to domestic violence The impacts of exposure to domestic violence vary among children. Studies have shown that the family, the community, and the personality of the child influence the child’s capability to endure the exposure. Therefore, social competence, brightness, confidence, positive self perception, and strong social relations confer protective attributes to children exposed to domestic violence. Other factors that determine the outcome of violence in homes on children include the form of violence, coping skills, age of the children, time span since the witnessing of violence, sex, and co-existence of child abuse (Wolfe et al., 1995).

In general, children exposed to extreme and chronic violence or who never see their parents resolve conflicts peacefully experience a lot of distress as compared to those who are less exposed. It has also been shown that children who do not have effective coping skills are more affected by domestic violence outcomes than those with effective coping skills and appropriate social support. Severe detrimental effects such as emotional and psychological disturbances are observed in younger individuals than older ones, perhaps due to their immature cognitive functioning abilities (Fantuzzo et al., 1991).

Across gender lines, males have been observed to have externalized habits, while females develop internalized habits. Other studies have shown that children who co-currently are exposed to domestic violence and abused frequently experience higher levels of emotional and

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psychological problems, as compared to those who are just exposed to violence (Carlson, 2000).

Increased distress is observed in children exposed to violence in their homes and who also experience maltreatment, as compared to those who experience domestic violence alone (Hughes, Graham-Bermann & Gruber, 2001).

Impacts of domestic violence on children The effects of a child’s exposure to violence in their homes depends on many factors, including the extent of violence in the home, the child’s exposure to the violence and the child’s ability to withstand , in addition to the protective factors found in the surroundings. A child’s exposure to domestic violence results into three main problems classified as, “behavioral, social and emotional problems, cognitive and attitudinal problems, and long-term problems” (Carlson 2000, p. 332). Behavioral, social and emotional issues relate to increased aggression, hostility, unsocial behaviors, withdrawal, and low self perception. Cognitive and attitudinal issues relate to inhibited cognitive functioning, poor academic achievement, poor conflict resolving ability, poor problem solving skills, and extreme gender stereotypes.

Various studies have established a strong correlation between physical health outcomes and increased frequency of exposure to domestic violence (De Bellis, 2001). Growing up experiences in high-conflict homes have been shown to cause poor physical development and increased demands of the health care services (Montgomery, Bartley & Wilkinson, 1997).

According to Luecken and Fabricious (2003), childhood exposure to domestic violence leads to heightened somatic symptoms, diseases and health-care visits. These children have been found to have high amounts of catecholamines in their urine, and are likely to have hypertension.

Additionally, the exposure has been shown to cause high cardiovascular activity, increased cortisol levels and high heart rates (Graham-Bermann & Seng, 2005).

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Domestic violence is, therefore, associated with a number of consequences touching across physical, psychological and social aspects of life. It is actually postulated that exposure of children to violence in the family settings raises the likelihood of the children developing emotional and behavioral problems while they are still young, and this trend potentially continues into adulthood whereby the child may become involved in abusive relationships (Fantuzzo et al., 1991). The problems and detrimental effects of exposure to domestic violence shows disparities along age, gender, time span since previous experience and the relationship between the child and non abusive party, and the amount of social support available.

Studies have indicated that exposure of children to violence in the family makes them develop maladaptive responses in various aspects of functioning such as, “behavioral, emotional, social, cognitive and physical” (Kolbo, Blakely & Engleman, 1996, p. 282). From the public health view, exposure to violence in family settings has been linked to extra psychopathology in children and teenagers. Studies have also established that the factors that influence the impacts of exposure to violence in family settings are also potentially implicated in the development of psychopathology associated with traumatic incidences (Kolbo, Blakely & Engleman, 1996).

The frequency of exposure to adult violence in the home bears a strong relationship with a child’s behavioral problems, both internalizing and externalizing. The impacts of this exposure are both long-term and short-term. Short term impacts include aggression and misconduct, emotional and mood disturbances, nightmares, health-related issues and somatic disturbances, academic, and cognitive issues. According to Wolfe et al. (1995), children who get exposed to violence in the family are at increased risk to attempt suicide, experiment with substance abuse, escape from home, become involved in many delinquent habits, become involved in prostitution, as well as likely to commit sexual offenses. Children exposed to violence in their homes have

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been shown to generally become aggressive and develop antisocial behaviors (Adamson & Thompson, 1998). In comparison to children who are not exposed to such violence in their homes, those who are exposed exhibit fear, depression, anxiety, symptoms of stress, difficulty in controlling their temper, and reduced social well being (Maker, Kemmelmeier & Peterson, 1998).

Long-term effects are the increased risks of the children becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence in adulthood. This is because the effects of domestic violence often transcend into adulthood unless intervention measures are instituted. Studies have demonstrated that a majority of adolescents who were reared in violent settings are likely to perpetuate the abusive relationships they were exposed, for instance males battering their marriage partners (Fantuzzo et al., 1991). A significant number of violent adolescents are those who witnessed physical abuse and use of weapons in the family settings. In adults, it has been reported that incidences of depression, negative self image and trauma-related symptoms are more common in the population that witnessed domestic violence as compared to the group which was less exposed (Silvern et al., 1995).

Intervention measures to address exposure of children to violence and its impacts Studies on children’s resilience in times of violence have established that the main protective variables include the existence of a vibrant and beneficial relationship with a compassionate grown up individual. Hence, children exposed to domestic violence should be helped to open up to a caring and mature person about their fears and concerns. A competent person should intervene to remedy the situation. Battered parents are important in providing support for the children (Carlson, 2000). Children also often frequently interact with the

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perpetuators of violence in the home; hence intervention measures must be designed to enhance the quality of interactions between the parents and their children.

The public health intervention measures on the impacts of domestic violence target the elucidation of the prevalence levels, predisposing conditions and protective factors. Practitioners need to identify the children at increased risk to witness domestic conflicts and formulate appropriate community-based approaches to control the problems. Children at increased risk of exposure to domestic violence include those from low-income backgrounds, broken homes, and places notorious with gangs, crimes and other antisocial habits. Health promotion intervention models should be geared towards encouraging the victims to improve their health through participation in programs like stress management, leading to modification of lifestyle and enhancing their well being (Adamson & Thompson, 1998). Practitioners can also design strategies to identify violence, control harm arising from violence or promote desirable functional abilities in the event of harm.

The intervention measures can occur at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. In primary intervention, the focus is on instituting mechanisms to reduce exposure through implementation of health enhancement programs to children at risk so as to reduce their involvement in violence and safeguard them from harm. These interventions measures may be both active and passive, whereby active measures need moderation of certain aspects on the side of the children through anticipatory counseling, conflict management programs and positive self-image development (Wolfe et al., 1995). Passive primary interventions employ policies, legislative measures and environmental modification. In secondary intervention, the focus is on early identification of the problem through screening of children and communities for high levels of likely exposure to violence in order to design measures that will help reduce the outcomes. Secondary measures,

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therefore, include strategies implemented when violence exists or is thought to be occurring.

Other secondary intervention measures include anti-violence activities and crisis management.

Tertiary interventions focus on the reduction of chronic impacts through rehabilitation programs and control of the frequency of exposure by guidance, minimization of stress and modification of high risk environments (Wolfe et al., 1995).

Conclusion A lot of evidence is available to show that children respond to domestic violence in detrimental ways, often leaving them helpless and immobilized. The exposure impairs with their cognitive, social and affective mechanisms that are manifested differently depending on age, gender and coping abilities of the child among other factors. The outcomes such as aggression, withdrawal and emotional disturbances retard their development, hence the need to address the consequences. Public health interventions measures must be taken to safeguard children from the impacts of domestic violence. These measures should be at all levels i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary levels of exposure.

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References Adamson, L. A. & Thompson, R. A. (1998). Coping with interparental verbal conflict by children exposed to spouse abuse and children from nonviolent homes. Journal of Family Violence, 13, 213-232.

Carlson, B. E. (2000). Children exposed to intimate partner violence: Research findings and implications for intervention. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 1(4), 321-340.

De Bellis, M. D. (2001). Developmental traumatology: The psychobiological development of maltreated children and its implications for research, treatment, and policy. Development and Psychopathology, 13, 539-564.

Fantuzzo, J. W., DePaula, L.M. Lambert, L., Martino, T., Anderson, G. & Sutton, S. (1991).

Effects of interpersonal violence in the psychological adjustment and competencies of young children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 258-265.

Graham-Bermann, S. A., & Seng, J. (2005). Violence exposure and traumatic stress symptoms as additional predictors of health problems in high risk children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 146: 349-354.

Hughes, H. M., Graham-Bermann, S. A. & Gruber, G. (2001). “Resilience in children exposed to domestic violence.” In S. A. Graham-Bermann and J. L. Edleson (Eds.), Domestic violence in the lives of children: The future of research, intervention and social policy, pp. 67-90. American Psychological Association.

Kolbo, J., Blakely, E. & Engleman, D. (1996). Children who witness domestic violence: a review of empirical literature. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 11(2), 281-293.

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Maker, A. H., Kemmelmeier, M. & Peterson, C. (1998). Long-term psychological consequences in women of witnessing parental conflict and experiencing abuse in childhood. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 13, 574-589.

Montgomery, S. M., Bartley, M. J. & Wilkinson, R. G. (1997). Family conflict and slow growth.

Archives of Disease in Children, 77, 326-330.

Silvern, L., Karyl, J., Waelde, L., Hodges, W. F., Starek, J., Heidt, E. & Min, K. (1995).

Retrospective reports of parental partner abuse: Relationships to depression, trauma symptoms and self-esteem among college students. Journal of Family Violence, 10, 177202.

UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org.nz/advocacy/publications/UNICEF_Body_Shop_Behind_Close Doors.pdf Wolfe, D. A., Wekerle, C., Reitzel, D. & Gough, R. (1995). “Strategies to address violence in the lives of high risk youth.” In Peled, E., Jaffe, P.G., & Edleson, J.L., (Eds.) Ending the cycle of violence: Community responses to children of battered women. New York, NY: Sage Publications.