Witnessing a violent act can affect people in a variety of ways, it can create feelings of helplessness, anxiety and can even cause post-traumatic stress disorders. An adult may overcome the emotions and visual experiences that can accompany witnessing violence. Such things as therapy, medication and also learning coping strategies can assist in the healing process. However, what about children who witness violence? Children who see and hear violence on a daily basis in the home are at a disadvantage due to their inability to seek and receive help on their own. Domestic violence, even if the violent acts are not carried out on the children themselves, can create a host of behavior problems. Children who witness violence done to their loved
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With the number of children witnessing domestic violence in the United States, it is of great importance that the effects on an adolescent who experiences violence in the home is researched. With more information, further assistance for domestic violence victims and witnesses’ can be better obtained. This paper will focus on research and studies that give us insight into the effects on children who witness violence in the home, as well as what types of violence may affect a child more than others. I will also address how the effects of child abuse and children 's experience with domestic violence has on attachment to parents, as well as how it can potentially harbor antisocial tendencies in the adolescent. Additionally, I will discuss the findings of the ways in which an adolescent who witnesses domestic violence could be professionally helped in order to prevent further complications in the …show more content…
identified 24 studies in their research into children’s maltreatment histories and the effects of domestic violence on an adolescent (2005). The final sample for their mega-analysis study included 1,870 mixed gendered adolescents that ranged in age from 4 to 14 years and which they obtained information about age, gender, behavior problems, and family violence history. It was found that children who observed parental abuse did not differ consistently from children who were physically abused themselves, leading to the idea that viewing violence is similar in its consequences to the child as feeling the actual physical effects of it (Abbott et al. 2005). Additionally, it was found that the negative effects of family violence on internalizing behavior (social withdrawal, anxiousness, fearfulness, etc.) were consistent regardless of age, and the negative effects on externalizing behavior problems (bullying, drug use, vandalism, etc.) were greater for 7- to 14-year-olds (Abbott et al. 2005). It was determined that the most detrimental effects of domestic violence presented itself in adolescences who were both victims and witnesses of the violence and consequently, “are at the highest risk of externalizing and internalizing problems” (Abbott et al. 2005:
With the number of children witnessing domestic violence in the United States, it is of great importance that the effects on an adolescent who experiences violence in the home is researched. With more information, further assistance for domestic violence victims and witnesses’ can be better obtained. This paper will focus on research and studies that give us insight into the effects on children who witness violence in the home, as well as what types of violence may affect a child more than others. I will also address how the effects of child abuse and children 's experience with domestic violence has on attachment to parents, as well as how it can potentially harbor antisocial tendencies in the adolescent. Additionally, I will discuss the findings of the ways in which an adolescent who witnesses domestic violence could be professionally helped in order to prevent further complications in the …show more content…
identified 24 studies in their research into children’s maltreatment histories and the effects of domestic violence on an adolescent (2005). The final sample for their mega-analysis study included 1,870 mixed gendered adolescents that ranged in age from 4 to 14 years and which they obtained information about age, gender, behavior problems, and family violence history. It was found that children who observed parental abuse did not differ consistently from children who were physically abused themselves, leading to the idea that viewing violence is similar in its consequences to the child as feeling the actual physical effects of it (Abbott et al. 2005). Additionally, it was found that the negative effects of family violence on internalizing behavior (social withdrawal, anxiousness, fearfulness, etc.) were consistent regardless of age, and the negative effects on externalizing behavior problems (bullying, drug use, vandalism, etc.) were greater for 7- to 14-year-olds (Abbott et al. 2005). It was determined that the most detrimental effects of domestic violence presented itself in adolescences who were both victims and witnesses of the violence and consequently, “are at the highest risk of externalizing and internalizing problems” (Abbott et al. 2005: