NCJ Number
185130
Journal
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2000 Pages: 264-283
Date Published
July 2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article uses the major components of a developmental-ecological model to assess the past decade of research on children exposed to family violence.
Abstract
The foci of this framework were translated into a coding system that was then applied to all empirical studies published in the research area since 1987. This coding system allowed for the inspection of the current state of the knowledge base from this perspective and the ability to assess progress in this research area. A total of 21 quantitative studies and 1 qualitative study were reviewed. Because multidisciplinary conceptual frameworks that are both population-based and child-centered are needed to inform the development of prevention and treatment efforts for children exposed to family violence, theorists have proposed heuristic hybrid models to enhance an understanding of how family and community risk factors result in childhood psychopathology. The developmental ecological model is one such hybrid model that holds particular promise for advancing research on the effects of family violence on children. This model combines the research methods and scientific principles from ecology theory and developmental psychopathology. A table shows for each reviewed study the number in the sample, the age range, how violence was assessed, child domains assessed, measures, and a brief summary of results as they pertain to children. Based on the findings of the literature review, implications are drawn for practice, policy, and research. 61 references