The effects of domestic violence on the emotional development of children and parenting

Domestic violence exists in all walks of life and in all cultures and is one of
the largest forms of violence in our society. There are major concerns on the
direct and indirect effects of domestic violence for children and families.
These concerns mainly relate to the possibility that exposure to violence
between parents leads to traumatic experiences for children. American research
provides evidence of an increased prevalence of symptoms of post traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Part of the problem remains however obscure. Some
researchers argue that the effects of domestic violence are wider ranging than
only PTSD, because the violence forms a threat to the emotional security that
children derive from their family situation. The current study therefore
focuses on two consequences of domestic violence in children, both
post-traumatic stress symptoms and the emotional security and the relationship
between these effects. In a conceptual model we assume that the severity and
duration of domestic violence can vary and these differences may affect the
family system. This model is based on different direct effects of domestic
violence, on emotional security and post traumatic stress symptoms in children
and post traumatic stress symptoms and parenting stress in parents. This latter
effect may be enhanced by traumatic events in the past of parents or lessened
by the availability of adequate social support for parents. The impact of
domestic violence on emotional (in) security is partially mediated by trauma
symptoms and parenting stress of parents. The emotional (in) security partially
mediates the relationship between domestic violence and trauma symptoms in
children.

Main objective
This research focuses on the outcomes of domestic violence at various levels in
the family system, where we consider the severity of domestic violence as a
determining factor. The relationships in the model are tested in families where
domestic violence occured. The following research questions are central.
1. How does the research population score on the used outcome measures,
compared to the general population.
2. What relationship exists between (severity and type of) domestic violence
and emotional insecurity and trauma symptoms among children in families where
domestic violence occurred and who have been referred to the support for
domestic violence in the G4.
3. What relationship exists between (severity and type of) domestic violence
and psychopathology and parenting stress among parents in families where
domestic violence occurred and who have been referred to the support for
domestic violence in the G4.
4. What relationship exists between trauma symptoms and parenting stress in
parents and how are they reinforced by traumatic experiences in the past of
parents and reduced by the presence of social support for the parents.
5. To what extent is the effect of the (severity of) domestic violence on
emotional insecurity and consequent trauma symptoms in children explained by
the effects of domestic violence on psychopathology and parenting stress among
parents.
Part of the families where domestic violence has occurred will participate in
interventions aimed at stopping domestic violence and reduce the negative
impacts. The course of these results will be followed with special attention to
the different types of assistance. The following research questions are
concerned.
6. Do children and parents show a favorable outcome with respect to the (degree
of) violence after the assistance compared to the (degree of) domestic violence
at the start.
7. If question 6. is answered positively, leads a more favorable course of
domestic violence to a more favorable course of different outcomes in the model
presented by the relations outlined in the model.
8. Is there within the group that gets support a relation between the type of
outcome and the different types of assistance?

The study applies to two different research designs. First, a cohort study in
which families who are referred to reporting centers for domestic violence en
child maltreatment in four major cities are monitored and compared to families
in the general population. For this latter comparison we plan a standardization
study on the used outcome measures. Secondly, a longitudinal case-control
cross-lagged panel design is used in which, dependent on participation in
interventions (treatment), is measured if anything has changed in the families.

Completing the various questionnaires requires a small investment of time
(between one and a half hours for parents and between 10 and 20 minutes for
children). Completing the questionnaires can be modestly stressful for the
child because it can be reminded of nasty things it has experienced. Completing
the questionnaire is done under professional supervision, and, when this is too
burdensome for the child, the session will be (temporarily) discontinued.
The questionnaires for parents contain questions on topics that may disclose
unpleasant memories. It is also possible that they are embarrassed about some
subject where they are asked about. If parents indicate that completing the
questionnaires is too bothersome for them and they indicate they want to talk
about this with someone, they can be referred to social work or mental health
care by the supervising investigator.