Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis of Child and Adolescent Outcomes

• NCJ Number: 223317
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2008 Pages: 131-140
• Author(s): Sarah E. Evans; Corrie Davies; David DiLillo
• Date Published: March 2008
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using meta-analysis, this study examined the relationship between childhood exposure to domestic violence and children’s internalizing, externalizing, and trauma symptoms.

Abstract

This meta-analytic study provides further evidence of the significant relationship between childhood exposure to domestic violence and internalizing and externalizing problems in children. It also lends support to many previous claims that exposure to domestic violence results in trauma symptomatology in children. Moderator analyses for gender indicate that the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and externalizing symptoms was significantly stronger for boys than for girls. Despite high prevalence of children exposed to domestic violence, researchers have only recently begun to investigate the effects of this exposure. This study used meta-analysis from 60 reviewed studies to explore this relationship between childhood exposure to domestic and adolescent outcomes. References