The effect of domestic violence on children, the result of witnessing domestic violence in a home where one of their parents abused another parent, played a tremendous role in the welfare and development of children who witnessed the violence. In 2009 in the Philippines, it was estimated that 7 to 14 million children were exposed to domestic violence with approximately 3.3 million children exposed to domestic violence in their homes each year.
Children who witness domestic violence at home often believe they are to blame, living in constant fear and 15 times more likely to be victims of child abuse. Close observations during interactions can alert the provider to the need for further investigation and intervention, such as dysfunction in the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social life areas, and can assist in early intervention and assistance for child victims.
Video Effects of domestic violence on children
Symptoms children may experience while watching
In general, children who witness domestic violence at home can suffer a large number of physical symptoms along with their desperate emotions and behaviors. These children may complain of common aches and pains, such as headaches and abdominal pain. They may also have irregular bowel movements, cold sores, and they may have problems with bedwetting. This complaint is associated with depressive disorder in children, a common emotional effect of domestic violence. As general complaints about discomfort, children who witness domestic violence may also appear nervous, as mentioned earlier, and have short attention spans. These children show some of the same symptoms as children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Instead, these children may exhibit symptoms of fatigue and constant fatigue. They may fall asleep at school for lack of sleep at home. Most of their evenings may be spent listening to or witnessing domestic violence. Children victims of domestic violence often get sick, and suffer from poor personal hygiene. Children who witness domestic violence also have a tendency to engage in high-risk, self-torture, and suicide activities.
Prenatal
The physical effects of domestic violence on children, different from the effects of direct abuse, can begin when they are the fetus in their mother's womb, can result in low birth weight, premature birth, excessive bleeding, and fetal death, due to the condition of the mother's physical trauma and emotional stress. Increased maternal stress during periods of abuse, especially when combined with smoking and drug abuse, can also lead to premature birth and low-weight babies. When a woman is emphasized during pregnancy, her baby can be born with stress and anxiety and sometimes has problems with growth.
Baby
Baby children present at homes where domestic violence is often the victim of being "caught in a firefight". They may suffer physical injuries because of unintentional trauma when their parents suffer abuse. Babies may be inconsolable and irritable, less responsive due to lack of emotional and physical attachment to their mothers, developing developmental delays, and experiencing excessive diarrhea both from trauma and stress. Babies are most affected by the abuse environment because the child's brain is not yet fully developed.
Older child
The physical effects of witnessing domestic violence in older children are less clear than behavioral and emotional effects. The trauma experienced by children when they witness domestic violence at home, plays a major role in their physical development and well-being. Older children can sometimes turn stress into behavioral problems. Sometimes children who see abuse turn to drugs, hoping to relieve their pain. Children, however, will exhibit physical symptoms associated with their behavioral or emotional problems, such as being withdrawn from those around them, becoming non-verbal, and exhibiting regressive behaviors such as being sticky and whining. Anxiety often accompanies physical symptoms in children who witness domestic violence at home. If their anxiety develops into more physical symptoms, they may show signs of fatigue due to lack of sleep and weight and nutritional changes from poor eating habits.
Assessment
Children who witness domestic violence at home should be assessed for physical effects and physical injury. Some physical findings may be difficult to evaluate, such as changes in their eating habits, sleep patterns, or intestinal patterns should be examined further or questioned by someone they trust.
Behavioral symptoms
Children exposed to domestic violence tend to develop behavioral problems, such as setbacks, uncontrollable behavior, and imitative behavior. Children may think that violence is an acceptable behavior of intercourse and becomes an abuser or perpetrator of violence. Some warning signs are bedwetting, nightmares, adult distrust, acting violently, having an inherent problem with others and isolating themselves from close friends and family. Another behavioral response to domestic violence may be that the child may be lying to avoid over-confrontation and attention.
In addition, to the behavioral symptoms of children, the source that supports this article is about the research that has been done by Albert Bandura (1977). The research presented is about introducing children to an aggressive, non-aggressive role model and a non-exemplary control group. The research is called, "The Bobo Doll Experiment", an experiment has influenced children to act similar to their role models against the doll itself. Violent children act with aggression, children exposed to non-aggressive environments are friendly enough. As a result, children can be severely affected by what is happening in their environment.
Adolescents are in danger of academic failure, dropping out, and substance abuse.
Their behavior is often kept and kept secret about their family members and they may be embarrassed about their home situation. Teenagers generally do not like to invite friends and spend their free time away from home. Rejection and aggression are the main forms of problem solving. Teenagers overcome domestic violence by blaming others, facing violence in a relationship, or by running away from home.
Violence teen dating
It is estimated that 1/5 to 1/3 of teenagers who experience domestic violence situations experience violence in adolescent dating, regularly abuse or abuse their partners verbally, mentally, emotionally, sexually and/or physically. 30 to 50% of dating relationships can show the same cycle of increased violence in their marital relationships.
Physical symptoms
Physical symptoms are very influential in children due to domestic violence in the parents. In one study, 52% of 59 children shouted from another room, 53% of the 60 children shouted from the same room, a handful actually called for someone to help and some only became significantly involved during the violence. When an unfortunate situation of violence reaches its peak and a child tries to intervene, logically we will think that in order to save their child from harm, parents will control themselves, however, statistics show otherwise. It is said that about 50% of the perpetrators also end up abusing their children. Another alarming statistic is that 25% of victims of cruel relationships also tend to abuse with their children. Violence imposed on these children in some cases can be life-threatening. If a mother is pregnant during harassment, the unborn baby is at risk of lifelong disability or at the risk of life itself. Researchers have studied, among perinatal and neonatal statistics, mothers experiencing domestic violence have more than doubled the risk of child mortality.
Emotional symptoms
Children exposed to violence in their homes often have feelings that conflict with their parents; For example, distrust and affection often occurs for the perpetrator. Children become too protective of the victims and feel sorry for them.
They often develop anxiety, fear that they may be hurt or abandoned, that the parents of abused children will be hurt, or that they should be blamed for the violence that occurred in their homes. Sadness, shame, and low self-esteem are common emotions experienced by children who experience domestic violence.
Depression
Depression is a common problem for children who experience domestic violence. Children often feel helpless and helpless. More girls internalize their emotions and show signs of depression than boys. Boys are more likely to act with aggression and hostility. Watching home violence can give children the idea that nothing is safe in the world and that they are not worth keeping safe that contributes to feelings of inferiority and depression.
Anger
Some children act through anger and are more aggressive than other children. Even in situations that do not need it, children will respond with anger. Children and young people specifically highlight feelings of anger as a consequence of experiencing domestic violence. Physical aggression can also manifest against victims of children because women do not have the ability to develop authority and control them.
Posting traumatic stress disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder can cause children to be exposed to domestic violence. These symptoms are nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, increased alertness to the environment, have problems concentrating, and can cause physical symptoms. If a child experiences chronic chronic persecution in a parenting relationship, then complex post-traumatic stress disorder may occur.
Role-reversal
Sometimes there is a role reversal between the child and the parent and the dysfunctional victim's responsibility being emotionally and psychologically transferred to the child. In this situation, parents treat their child as a therapist or believer, and not as their child. They are forced to mature faster than the average child. They take on household responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and caring for younger children. The responsibilities they endure are beyond the assigned tasks and are not age-appropriate. Children become socially isolated and can not participate in normal activities for children their age. The burdened child risks engaging in a rocky relationship because they have been isolated and inexperienced in forming successful relationships. Also, they tend to be perfectionists because they are forced to meet such high expectations for their parents.
Social Symptoms
Children exposed to domestic violence often lack the safety and security basics normally provided by the family. Children experience desensitization to aggressive behavior, poor anger management, poor problem-solving skills, and learn to engage in exploitative relationships.
- Symptoms include isolation from friends and relatives in an attempt to stay close to the siblings and the victim's parents.
- Adolescents may display these symptoms by joining gangs or engaging in dating relationships that mimic learned behaviors.
Children exposed to domestic violence need a safe parenting environment and the space and respect to advance at their own pace. Caregivers should provide assurance and increased security by providing explanations and comfort for things that concern children, such as loud noises. Children should develop and maintain positive contact with other important people like distant family members. All family members are encouraged to engage in community organizations designed to assist families in situations of domestic violence.
Maps Effects of domestic violence on children
Effects on infants and toddlers â ⬠<â â¬
Children exposed to domestic violence during infancy often experience an inability to bind and form a secure attachment, often resulting in increased shock reactions and a sense of inhibited exploration and play.
Children can describe the various reactions to exposure to domestic violence in their homes. Preschoolers and kindergartners do not understand the meaning of abuse and may believe that they are making a mistake, this self-blame mistake can cause children to feel guilty, worried and anxious. Younger children do not have the ability to express their feelings verbally and these emotions can cause behavioral problems. They may become retracted, non-verbal, and have behavioral setbacks such as clinging and whining. Other common behaviors for children who are victims of domestic violence are eating and sleeping difficulties, and concentration issues.
Preschoolers living violently internalize the gender roles studied in terms of victimization, such as seeing men as perpetrators and women as victims. These symptoms appear as preschoolers who mimic the behavior learned from bullying and harassment. Preschoolers may present with aggressive behavior, whips, defensive behavior, or extreme separation anxiety from primary caregivers.
Statistics show that a child who witnessed violence between their parent or guardian is more likely to engage in violent behavior in their own adult life. "Even when child witnesses do not suffer physical injury, the emotional consequences of seeing or hearing of severe and long-lasting acts of violence.In fact, children who witness violence often experience many of the same symptoms and lasting effects as children who are victims of the violence itself, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ". Also in the article Violating the Violence Cycle "is clearly in the best interests of children and the criminal justice system to deal with victims and witnesses in the most effective and sensitive way.Several studies have found the following: reducing the number of interviews children can minimize psychological hazards for child victims (Tedesco & Schnell, 1987), testifying is not always harmful to children if adequate preparation is made (Goodman et al., 1992; Oates et al., 1995; Whitcomb, Goodman, Runyon, and Hoak, 1994), and, have people believed to help the child prepare for the court and with the child when he testified to reduce the anxiety of the child (Henry, 1997).
Effects on watching baby
- Excessive crying, shouting
- Digestive problems
- Failure to expand
- Unhealthy eating and sleep routines
- Often sick
- Irritability, sadness, anxiety
- Low weight
- The need for attachments is interrupted
- No appetite
- Sleeping problems
- Easy get started
Effect on watching a toddler â ⬠<â â¬
- Insomnia/parasomnia
- Lack of security
- Regressive behavior
- Anxiety separation/stranger
Dual lighting
It is important to note that children exposed to domestic violence are at greater risk of other forms of abuse such as physical abuse and neglect. Research shows that parents who engage in violence with one another are at a higher risk of physically abusing their children. Recent research has suggested that the consequences of violence against children and exposure to domestic violence are often similar and imitate one another. Children who are abused and exposed to domestic violence show almost identical emotional, psychological, and behavioral consequences for each other. In fact, some researchers refer to this dual exposure as a "double whammy" effect because children receive double exposure for traumatic events and thus react double to abuse and exposure to domestic violence. Emotionally, children who experience a "double whammy" effect can exhibit fear, guilt, isolation, and low self-esteem. Additional psychological outcomes for these children include depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children who experience double exposure to physical violence and domestic violence have more behavioral problems than those who experience only one or the other.
Long-term effects of double exposure in children can have very negative results in the future. These results have been documented as leading to behavioral problems that include school dropouts, violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts. A study that followed children from preschool through adolescence found that young people exposed to domestic violence and child abuse were more likely to experience anti-social behavior in their adolescence. Young children exposed to domestic violence and child abuse are also more likely to attack and participate in misbehavior in their adolescence than those who are not exposed at all. Finally, the ACE study found an association between several categories of childhood trauma (eg, child abuse, domestic dysfunction including domestic violence, and child abuse) and later health/behavioral outcomes. The more trauma a child experiences, the greater the risk of disability, social problems, and ill health. Recently, researchers have used elements of this model to continue the analysis into various aspects of trauma and tense experiences and subsequent developments.
How to help
Early intervention is one of the best ways to counter the effects of witnessing harassment. Ways to help children who have witnessed domestic violence include:
- Organize school-aged children to receive counseling from professionals in their schools, often school counselors.
- Experimenting with different types of counseling: play therapy, peer support groups, anger management classes, and safety programs to teach children how to extract themselves from dangerous situations.
- Help children find loving and supportive adults to introduce to children and encourage children to spend a lot of time regularly with adults. This may include family members or trusted community advocates. The Family Violence Defense Fund reports that one of the most important ingredients to help children heal and develop resilience is the presence of loving adults.
- Provide a safe environment that does not include violence of any kind after a child has witnessed domestic violence.
- Find a way to discipline that does not involve hitting, calling names, shouting, or any form of verbal aggressive behavior.
- Help children create a sense of security by performing scheduled routines, such as regular meals and homework time.
See also
References
Further reading
- Cutting the Cycle Consult the prominent voice of teenagers for harassment and violence parents: http://www.childtoparentviolence.com
- Drug Development Project. Child Abuse and Abandonment Center. 2005. Oklahoma City, Okay.
- How are children affected by domestic violence? Preparation Counseling for Mothers.
- Sexual Harassment Rescue Service (SASS). (1996). Facts about domestic violence.
- Hooper, L. M. Expanding discussion on validation and results varies: Implications for mental health research and practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29 (2), 322-337.
- Hooper, L. M., Marotta, S. A., & amp; Lanthier, R. P. (2008). Predictors of growth and distress follow reforms among students. The Journal of Child and Family Studies, 17, 693-705.
- Parentification Research
- The Influence of Domestic Violence on Children Feelings and Behavior
- UNICEF - Behind a Closed Door: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
Source of the article : Wikipedia