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The Behavioural and Social Functioning of Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Clara Bookless-Pratz  and
Peter Mertin
Clara Bookless-Pratz
Affiliation:
Finders University School of Medicine, Finders Medical Centre, Bedford Park S.A. 5042
Peter Mertin
Affiliation:
CAMHS Central Team. Mitchell House Clinic, 18 Fitzroy Terrace, Prospect S.A. 5082
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Extract

It is now established that there is a relationship between domestic violence and emotional and behavioural disorders in children, with research suggesting that childhood exposure to domestic violence can adversely affect both present mental health as well as adult life. The private setting and nature of such violence makes accurate estimations of the extent of the problem difficult. Such figures that have emerged however, indicate that domestic violence is occurring on a chronic repetitive basis. Elbow states that the violent family is characterized by rigid sex roles, the use of violence to control others, poor communication patterns, isolation both within and outside the family, and the inability to accept responsibility for actions. It is also suggested that the dysfuctional patterns of the violent marriage impair the ability of the parents to meet the developmental and emotional needs of their children.

Type
Domestic Violence
Information
Children Australia , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , 1990 , pp. 4 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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