NCJ Number
180645
Date Published
2000
Length
183 pages
Annotation
This volume reviews definitional issues and recent research on children's exposure to violence between their parents or other caretakers and the subsequent effects on child development, with emphasis on prevention and intervention models, techniques, and programs.
Abstract
The text discusses the incidence and prevalence of children's exposure to violence between parents, empirical findings regarding the variety of psychological effects in these children, and combinations of individual factors and their relationship to risk or resilience for exposed children. Further sections examine conceptual models that explain the forms of impact observed and cover social learning, cognitive behavioral, trauma, family systems, and relational theories. Additional chapters focus on the influence of demographic families, physical violence within nontraditional forms of the family, treatment and prevention programs for children, and the effectiveness of these programs. A discussion of the court system and children of battered women focuses on child custody, the litigation of exposed children who commit violent crimes, and other issues. The analysis concludes that progress has occurred in understanding relevant theories and models, understanding the important role of diversity in contributing to individual differences in impact, identifying appropriate treatments such as psychoeducational groups, and improving interagency collaboration. Needs still exist in the areas of research, intervention, prevention, funding, and policy. Tables, figures, chapter reference lists, and index