Abordo, P., Anastasov, A., Bridgeman, C., Harvey, L., Khalili, C., Olorunnisola, T. S., Surany, D., & Yuill, J. (2024). Living through family violence in Australia: An integrative literature review of children’s mental health outcomes. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 13(4), 296–310. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000243

Key Takeaways

Children exposed to domestic and family violence (DFV) experience a range of negative mental health outcomes, including emotional and behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The severity of these outcomes is influenced by factors such as the frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure to DFV, as well as the child’s age, gender, and coping mechanisms.
Protective factors, such as positive parenting, social support, and access to mental health services, can mitigate the negative impact of DFV on children’s mental health.
There is evidence of intergenerational transmission of violence, with children exposed to DFV being more likely to perpetrate or experience violence in their own relationships later in life.
The findings highlight the need for early intervention and prevention programs to address the mental health needs of children exposed to DFV and break the cycle of violence.

Rationale

Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a serious public health problem with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

Children exposed to DFV are at increased risk for a range of negative outcomes, including mental health problems, substance abuse, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the existing research on the mental health outcomes of Australian children exposed to DFV.

Previous research has established a clear link between DFV exposure and adverse mental health outcomes in children.

For example, a study by Westrupp et al. (2018) found that repeated early-life exposure to inter-parental conflict increased the risk of preadolescent mental health problems.

Another study by Westrupp et al. (2015) found that exposure to inter-parental conflict across 10 years of childhood was associated with increased emotional and behavioral problems.

However, there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Australian literature to provide a more nuanced understanding of the specific mental health outcomes associated with DFV exposure in Australian children and the factors that influence the severity of these outcomes.

This systematic review addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the current research on this topic.

Method

Adherence to PRISMA Guidelines

The systematic review adhered to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

Databases Searched with Time Frame

The following databases were searched from 1992 to 2021:

PsycINFO
PubMed
Scopus
Web of Science

Search Terms Used

The search terms used included:

Domestic violence
Family violence
Intimate partner violence
Child maltreatment
Child abuse
Child neglect
Mental health
Emotional well-being
Trauma
Resilience

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for Study Selection

Studies were included if they:

Were published in English
Were conducted in Australia
Focused on the mental health outcomes of children exposed to DFV
Used a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods design

Studies were excluded if they:

Were not published in English
Were not conducted in Australia
Did not focus on the mental health outcomes of children exposed to DFV
Used a theoretical or conceptual design

Number of Studies Included in the Final Review

A total of 27 studies were included in the final review.

Method of Data Extraction

Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers using a standardized data extraction form.

The following information was extracted from each study:

Study design
Sample size
Participant characteristics
Type of DFV exposure
Mental health outcomes
Factors influencing outcomes
Protective factors

Results

Prevalence of DFV Exposure: The studies included in the review reported a wide range of prevalence rates for DFV exposure among Australian children.
Mental Health Outcomes: The most common mental health outcomes associated with DFV exposure were emotional and behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Factors Influencing Outcomes: The severity of mental health outcomes was influenced by factors such as the frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure to DFV, as well as the child’s age, gender, and coping mechanisms.
Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: There was evidence of intergenerational transmission of violence, with children exposed to DFV being more likely to perpetrate or experience violence in their own relationships later in life.
Protective Factors: Protective factors, such as positive parenting, social support, and access to mental health services, were found to mitigate the negative impact of DFV on children’s mental health.

Insight

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the mental health outcomes of Australian children exposed to DFV.

The findings highlight the devastating impact that DFV can have on children’s emotional and psychological well-being.

The study also underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention programs to address the mental health needs of children exposed to DFV and break the cycle of violence.

Further Research

Further research is needed to:

Examine the long-term mental health outcomes of children exposed to DFV.
Develop and evaluate effective interventions to address the mental health needs of children exposed to DFV.
Explore the role of culture and ethnicity in the relationship between DFV exposure and child mental health outcomes.
Investigate the impact of DFV on children’s physical health and development.

Clinical Implications

The findings of this study have important implications for the work of practitioners and policymakers.

Practitioners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of DFV exposure in children and provide appropriate support and interventions.

Policymakers should develop and implement policies and programs to prevent DFV and support children and families affected by DFV.

The findings of this study suggest the following recommendations for improving practice and services:

Early identification and intervention: Practitioners should be trained to identify children exposed to DFV and provide early intervention services to address their mental health needs.
Trauma-informed care: Services for children and families affected by DFV should be trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.
Collaboration and coordination: Practitioners and agencies should collaborate to provide comprehensive and coordinated services to children and families affected by DFV.
Prevention efforts: Prevention efforts should focus on promoting healthy relationships and preventing violence.

Strengths

Comprehensive search strategy
Inclusion of both quantitative and qualitative studies
Rigorous quality assessment of included studies
Use of standardized data extraction form
Adherence to PRISMA guidelines

Limitations

Limited to studies published in English
Potential for publication bias
Heterogeneity of included studies
Difficulty in comparing findings across studies

References