It is very difficult to gather reliable data on the effects of domestic violence on children’s lives since the very definition of domestic violence is complex and furthermore there are multiple interrelated factors involved. Fantuzzo and Mohr (1999) explain that the term generally refers to violence between intimate partners but that the clinical definition is not the same as the legal definition. One clinical definition includes a range of assaultive and coercive behavior which include physical, sexual, psychological, and even economic coercion Whereas the legal definition is more confined to physical harm. The child can be affected by the domestic violence when he directly sees or hears the violent acts, is involved when he tries to intervene or he can experience the after effects on the victim. Hornor (2005) points out that domestic violence is a range of behaviors- physical, sexual, and psychological, perpetrated more commonly on females.
There are no definite estimates on the prevalence of children’s exposure to domestic violence. The variation in the definition and the ways in which the data have been gathered result in discrepancies in the estimate of the prevalence. Researching the effects of domestic violence on children has also been variable. Fantuzzo and Mohr (1999) summarized the results of two national surveys that were conducted in 1989 and 1996. The reviews in those reports concluded that children exposed to domestic violence demonstrated more externalizing and internalizing behavior than children form non-violent homes. The studies revealed “that children exposed to domestic violence tended to be more aggressive and to exhibit behavior problems in their schools and communities ranging from temper tantrums to fights” (p. 27). The academic problems exhibited included impaired ability to concentrate and lower scores on assessments of verbal, motor and cognitive skills. Some of the internalizing behaviors “ included depression, suicidal behaviors, anxiety, fears, phobias, insomnia, tics, bed-wetting, and low self-esteem” (p.27).
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Children’s reaction to such trauma as domestic violence are affected by the closeness of the relationship to the victim, the developmental stage of the child, the intensity of the violence, and availability of support for the child (Osofsky, 2003). The behaviors demonstrated by children exposed to domestic violence and described by Osofsky (2003) are similar to those above, i.e. include disturbances in school behavior and learning problems, reduced social competencies, depression, fear, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. According to Hornor (2005) the effects are manifested differently according to age of the child. Preschoolers exhibit anxiety and clinging behavior. In addition to decline in school performance school-age children may also complain of somatic pains (headaches or stomachaches). Adolescents express rage and rebellious behavior such as truancy and dropping out of school.
Although there are substantial studies on domestic violence there is still need to gather reliable and valid data on the effects on the children. Osofsky (2003) pointed out that domestic violence is a crime as well as a public health issue and that data from twenty years ago showed that approximately 20% of children surveyed witnessed domestic violence. Research is needed to clear up the discrepancies in the previous studies in the estimates of prevalence and the effects on children in various contexts. In order to protect young children from the effects of domestic violence there must be an understanding of factors such as how much the child perceives or remembers of the violent experience since this affects the presence of symptoms and the circumstances under which these symptoms will occur for the child.
In order to conduct reliable research on the topic, data collection should include using alternatives to telephone interviews, including children of different ages and socioeconomic and ethnic background, researching the factors that may affect the child’s vulnerability, and including longitudinal studies (Osfosky, 2003). Most importantly the researchers and other stakeholders, for example the law officers, social workers, and health practitioners should all work together. Fantuzzo and Mohr (1999) suggested that genuine partnerships between researchers and the relevant professionals that help to get as close as possible to the incident of violence is a promising research approach.
- Fantuzzo, J.W. & Mohr, W.K. (1999). Prevalence and effects of child exposure to domestic violence. The Future of Children, 9 (3), 21-32.
- Hornor, G. (2005). Domestic violence and children. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 19 (4), 206-212.
- Osofsky, J. D. (2003). Prevalence of children’s exposure to domestic violence and child maltreatment: Implications for prevention and intervention. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6, (3), 161-170.
