The Impact of Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse on Children

Abstract

This is the first of two articles on the impact of emotional abuse and domestic violence on children's psychological functioning and development. In this article, the processes through which exposure to domestic violence affects children's adjustment and development are explored and then applied to clinical interventions. Research and intervention studies are presented. A number of theoretical premises and explanations are used to explain the ways children can be adversely affected by family violence, including social learning theory, social cognition theory, family systems theory, interpersonal relationships theory, and trauma theory. Suggestions for improving research, interventions and evaluations are made.