Child witnesses to domestic violence: a meta-analytic review.
This meta-analysis examined 118 studies of the psychosocial outcomes of children exposed to interparental violence. Correlational studies showed a significant association between exposure and child problems (d = -0.29). Group comparison studies showed that witnesses had significantly worse outcomes relative to nonwitnesses (d = -0.40) and children from verbally aggressive homes (d = -0.28). but witnesses' outcomes were not significantly different from those of physically abused children (d = 0.15) or physically abused witnesses (d = 0.13). Several methodological variables moderated these results. Similar effects were found across a range of outcomes, with slight evidence for greater risk among preschoolers. Recommendations for future research are made, taking into account practical and theoretical issues in this area.
Kitzmann
Katherine M
KM
Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Tennessee 38152-3230, USA. k.kitzmann@mail.psyc.memphis.edu
Gaylord
Noni K
NK
Holt
Aimee R
AR
Kenny
Erin D
ED
D002648:Child; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D002666:Psychology, Child; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*