Impact of Domestic Violence Exposure on Children: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Domestic Violence, Children, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy, InterventionAbstract
Introduction:
The psychological effects of witnessing domestic violence are profound, with evidence indicating that up to 60% of children exposed to such environments exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the existing literature to better understand the scope and magnitude of these impacts.
Methods:
This systematic review employed a comprehensive search strategy across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials related to children exposed to domestic violence. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly defined to select high-quality, relevant studies, followed by a meticulous screening and assessment process to ensure the inclusion of only the most pertinent research on the topic.
Results:
The summarized results of the systematic review reveal that the interventions tested across six studies, with sample sizes ranging from 62 to over 1000 participants, showed significant effectiveness in various contexts. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions, for example, led to a notable reduction in PTSD symptoms, achieving a risk ratio (RR) of 0.7 with a confidence interval (CI) of 0.5 to 0.9. Similarly, school-based interventions demonstrated improvements in academic performance and peer relationships with a RR of 0.6 (CI: 0.5 to 0.7), while family therapy interventions resulted in significant enhancements in family functioning and child behavioral outcomes, with a RR of 0.4 (CI: 0.2 to 0.6). These findings underscore the varied and significant impact of targeted interventions on children exposed to domestic violence.
Conclusions:
This systematic review highlights the effectiveness of various interventional approaches in mitigating the impacts of domestic violence exposure on children. Cognitive-behavioral therapy emerged as particularly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
