Witnessed Domestic Violence - Essay Example

Witnessed Domestic Violence Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Preliminary Statement This paper will cover the subject of domestic violence and its impact on children mental health. Domestic aggression is a growing concern amongst individuals of all culture, races, and classes. The Australian economy pays about $13.6 billion annually, in addition to the emotional harm of the persons that are affected (Browne, 2013). It is a very important social issue with a major impact upon the health of the victims in the society especially children. It places the victims at risk developmentally, emotionally and physically (Richards, 2011). Emotional and behavioral disorders, clinical dysfunction and posttraumatic stress are some of the problems exhibited by children that experience domestic violence. This paper will present various impacts of domestic violence on children mental health and why it should be discouraged, presenting both short term and long term impact of the violence. Appropriate interventions for victims as well as support services, which lead to better health and mental health outcomes, will also be presented. Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Mental Health Morgan and Chadwick (2009) defined domestic violence as any act of violence that occurs between two individuals in or those who have had an intimate relationship in a family setting. Such acts encompass psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse. Initially, domestic violence takes the form of an attempt by one partner to exert control through verbal abuse, fear, intimidation, and violence threats. Some victims are isolated from family and friends and may lose social support network (Wendt, 2009). Short Term Influences of Domestic Violence on Children Mental Health Domestic violence has serious negative impacts on the children mental health; it causes children to exhibit fear, feelings of guilt and shame, feelings of responsibility for the violence, stress, depression, conflicted loyalties, difficulty trusting, anger, withdrawal, trauma, anxiety, insecurity and fear. In extreme cases, the violence causes children to develop suicidal feelings and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety is one of the reactions to stress in children that witness domestic violence. It helps the children to deal with the situation at home however; in extreme cases, it disables the children. According to Adams (2006), children who witness domestic violence are fearful and show more depression and anxiety than other children who do not witness the violence. Recurrent exposure to domestic violence is a self-determining risk factor for depression symptoms in young adulthood. Depression interferes with the children normal functioning-their ability to eat, study, sleep, work and enjoy other activities. In case of severe depression arising from the violence, some form of psychosis, for instance, delusions, hallucinations, as well as a break from reality, accompanies depression. Nevertheless, such cases are limited. The most common symptoms of depression in children who witness are persistent “empty”, anxious and sad feeling, feelings of pessimism, hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt, restlessness, irritability, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, decreased energy, and fatigue. In addition, they have trouble in concentrating, making decisions, and remembering details and suffer from early-morning wakefulness, insomnia, appetite loss, overeating, suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, headaches, persistent pains or aches, cramps as well as digestive problems, which do not get better with treatment. Osofsky and Fitzgerald (2000) noted that girls usually internalize their emotions and they portray depression signs more than boys do. Boys often act out with hostility and aggression. Miller (2010) noted that by witnessing violence, children get the idea that there is nothing safe in the world and that they are not worth being kept safe; this leads to depression and feelings of low sense of worth. Children who witness domestic violence also often have conflict feelings towards their parents or guardians, for example, distrust often coexist for the abusers. Baker, Jaffe & Ashbourne (2002) noted that children usually become overprotective of the victim and usually feel sorry for them. According to Osofsky and Fitzgerald (2000), children may experience strong ambivalence towards their violence perpetrator; affection usually coexists with disappointment and resentment feelings. The children are also usually develop anxiety and fear that they may be abandoned or injured, that the parent perpetrating violence will injure the other parent and that they are to responsible for the violence. Low self-esteem, shame and grief are common emotions experience by children exposed to family violence. Children who witness domestic violence are more aggressive and act out through anger than other children. They usually respond with anger even in situations that do not call for it (Osofsky & Fitzgerald, 2000). Children exposed to domestic violence usually become anxious and fearful; they usually stay on guard waiting and watching for the next event to take place. They never feel safe at home and never know what will trigger the abuse and as a result, they are always apprehensive that it might take place at anytime. They are also usually worried for their mother, brothers, sister, and themselves. They may feel powerless and worthless, as they are unable to protect their mother from the violence (Margolin & Gordis, 2004). Some children blame themselves for the violence thinking that they has said or done something to trigger the violence. They also feel humiliation, embarrassment, and rage. Some children also feel vulnerable and isolated. They are starved for approval, affection, and attention. Most children are usually emotionally, physically, and psychologically abandoned. The violence causes the children to feel sad, guilty, shameful, fearful, angry, and depressed at the perpetrator of the violence as well as the other party for being unable to prevent the violence (Richards, 2011). Brown and Bzostek (2003) revealed that children who experience domestic aggression are more apt to exhibit antisocial and violent behaviors and are anxious and depressed than other children. In addition, they are more likely to have poor peer, social and sibling relationships, and oppositional behavior. Long Term Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children Mental Health Children who witness domestic violence suffer post-traumatic disorder. Various researchers and clinicians have linked the trauma of experiencing and witnessing domestic violence with the impact exemplified by posttraumatic stress disorder (Humpreys & Thiara, 2003; Coleman & Guildford, 2001; Kilpatrick & Williams, 2010). Children have thoughts of hurting themselves or other persons, angry outbursts, feel on edge, have trouble sleeping, feel alone, feel sad, guilt and worried, stay away from home as they remind them of what happens, have scary thoughts that they cannot control, flashbacks and bad dreams (Pearson, Hester & Harwin, 2007). Younger children exhibit disorganized or agitated behavior. In addition, domestic violence in re-experience through nightmares and there may be a persistent avoidance of all things that remind the children of the violence. Symptoms of increased arousal such as an exaggerated startle response, hyper vigilance, difficulty concentrating, anger outbursts, irritability and difficulty falling asleep may be present. Graham-Berman & Levendosky (1998) found that 13% of their sample of 64 children exposed to domestic violence qualified for a complete post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. Nonetheless, 52% suffered from unwanted and intrusive remembering of the traumatic event (s), 19% displayed traumatic avoidance, and 42% experienced traumatic arousal symptoms. Children with PTSD symptoms had significantly more internalizing behavioral problems as well as more externalizing problems. McCloskey and Walker (2000) also found a connection between experiencing family violence and later PTSD. PSTD can sometimes be acute and often consists of ongoing panic, anxiety, and emotional trauma. Role reversal also takes place between a parent (victim) and the child. The victim, who is psychologically and emotionally dysfunctional, responsibilities are transferred to the child. The child is treated by the parent as a confidant or therapist and as a result they mature fast than the average children. The child may also take on the household responsibilities, for instance, cleaning, cooking as well as looking after the younger children, duties which are beyond the normally assigned chore and are not age appropriate. Most children also socially isolate themselves and do not take part in activities, which are normal for their age. Counterarguments on the Harmful Impact of Domestic Violence Some studies have indicated that not every child who witness domestic violence suffers considerable harmful effects. Osofsky (1994) noted that child resilience in the face of violence depends on the existence of a positive and strong relationship with a child and a caring and competent adult. They noted that most children usually depend on both or one parent to offer nurturing support during the emotionally challenging situation. This is not substantial enough to refute the claim on the harmful effect of domestic aggression on children as most of the time the violence hampers the ability of the parents to meet the children needs. Parents who live with chronic violence may feel uncommunicative, irritable, depressed, and emotionally numb and hence may not be adequately emotionally available to their children (Ehrensaft, Cohen, & Brown et al. 2003). The children may be less able to depend on their parents for reassurance and support as one parent is a victim and the other one a perpetrator. Resilience to domestic violence has also been related to maternal functioning, mostly as it relates to the emotional availability of the mother, is important to the child ability to cope. Nonetheless, women who witness domestic violence may not be sufficiently available to the children as they attempt to stay safe, are depressed or are preoccupied with the violence. Martinez-Torveta, Anne Bogat and Von Eye et al. (2009) study on resilience and domestic noted that resilience is determined by the influence of family and individual characteristics. They noted that chronic domestic violence leads to maternal depression, externalizing or internalizing symptoms, and a difficult child temperament. Recommendations There is need to improve domestic violence policies in three important areas: improved support for domestic violence victims, more effective frontline responses as well as better cooperation between agencies that deal with domestic violence. In case, the parents are unable to meet the children emotional needs, there is need for the children to relate with a caring adult who is closely connected to them. The mental health system should offer extensive crisis intervention services for helping domestic violence victims, which range from family, group, and individual therapy programs. The government and the various jurisdictions in the country should also place various programs, laws, and policies that respond to as well as attempt to prevent domestic violence and also support for survivors/victims and their families. Conclusion Domestic violence is a serious public health issues, which has a major influence the health of the victims in the society especially children. It negatively affects the physical, emotional, and psychological health of children. It denies the victims an essential right of maintaining control over their personal lives and they live in fear and isolation at home. The effects in the children include behavioral problems such as phobia, aggression, depression, low self-esteem, and insomnia. It causes disruptions in the children emotional, social, behavioral, and cognitive function. This in turn affects the progression of the child through the usual developmental processes. In the long term, the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social impacts of domestic violence usually have a long-term effect on education as well as employment outcomes. There is need for programs, laws, and policies that deal with and endeavor to prevent domestic violence and support victims and their families. References Adams, C. (2006). The consequences of witnessing family violence on children and implications for family counselors. The Family Journal: Counselling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 14, 334-341. Baker, L., Jaffe, P. & Ashbourne, L. (2002). Children exposed to domestic violence. Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System. Miller, D. (2010). Children Exposure to Violence-community violence, Domestic Violence- General effects. Retrieved from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2531/Violence-Children-s-Exposure.html Brown, B., & Bzostek, S. (2003). Violence in the lives of Children. CrossCurrents, 1, Child Trends, DataBank. Browne, R. (2013). Domestic Violence becoming greatest social epidemic of our time. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/national/domestic-violence-becoming-greatest-social-epidemic-of-our-time-20130622-2op6c.html Coleman, G., & Guildford, A. (2001). Threshold women mental health initiative: striving to keep women mental health issues on the agenda. Feminist Review, 68, 173-180 Ehrensaft, M., Cohen, P., Brown, J., Smailes, E., Chen, H., & Johnson, J. (2003). Intergenerational transmission of partner violence: A 20-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 741–753. Graham-Bermann, S. & Hughes, H. (1998). The impact of domestic violence and emotional abuse on children: The intersection of research, theory, and clinical intervention. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 1(2), 1-22 Humphreys, C., & Thiara, R. (2002). Routes to safety: protection issues facing abused women and children and the role of outreach. Bristol: Women’s Aid Federation of England. Kilpatrick, K., & Williams, L. (2010). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence. American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry, 67 (4), 639–644 Margolin, G. & Gordis, E. (2004). Children’s Exposure to violence in the family and community. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 13(4), 152-155 Morgan, A., & Chadwick, H. (2009). Key issues in domestic violence. Summary paper, no. 7. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). Osofsky, J., & Fenichel, E. (1994) Caring for infants and toddlers in violent environments: Hurt, healing, and hope. Zem to Three (December 1993/January 1994), 14, 1-48. Osofsky, J. & Fitzgerald, H. (2000). Infants and violence: Prevention, intervention, and treatment. In WAIMH Handbook of Infant Mental Health, Volume 4, 164-196. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Pearson, C., Hester, M. & Harwin,N. (2007). Making an impact-Children and Domestic Violence: A reader. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Richards, K. (2011). Children’s exposure to domestic violence in Australia, Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, no. 419. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. Russell, D., Springer, K. & Greenfield, E. (2010). Witnessing domestic abuse in childhood as an independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in young adulthood. Child Abuse Negl. 34(6), 448-453 Wendt, S. (2009). Domestic violence in rural Australia. Sydney: Federation Press. Read More

In addition, they have trouble in concentrating, making decisions, and remembering details and suffer from early-morning wakefulness, insomnia, appetite loss, overeating, suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, headaches, persistent pains or aches, cramps as well as digestive problems, which do not get better with treatment. Osofsky and Fitzgerald (2000) noted that girls usually internalize their emotions and they portray depression signs more than boys do. Boys often act out with hostility and aggression.

Miller (2010) noted that by witnessing violence, children get the idea that there is nothing safe in the world and that they are not worth being kept safe; this leads to depression and feelings of low sense of worth. Children who witness domestic violence also often have conflict feelings towards their parents or guardians, for example, distrust often coexist for the abusers. Baker, Jaffe & Ashbourne (2002) noted that children usually become overprotective of the victim and usually feel sorry for them.

According to Osofsky and Fitzgerald (2000), children may experience strong ambivalence towards their violence perpetrator; affection usually coexists with disappointment and resentment feelings. The children are also usually develop anxiety and fear that they may be abandoned or injured, that the parent perpetrating violence will injure the other parent and that they are to responsible for the violence. Low self-esteem, shame and grief are common emotions experience by children exposed to family violence.

Children who witness domestic violence are more aggressive and act out through anger than other children. They usually respond with anger even in situations that do not call for it (Osofsky & Fitzgerald, 2000). Children exposed to domestic violence usually become anxious and fearful; they usually stay on guard waiting and watching for the next event to take place. They never feel safe at home and never know what will trigger the abuse and as a result, they are always apprehensive that it might take place at anytime.

They are also usually worried for their mother, brothers, sister, and themselves. They may feel powerless and worthless, as they are unable to protect their mother from the violence (Margolin & Gordis, 2004). Some children blame themselves for the violence thinking that they has said or done something to trigger the violence. They also feel humiliation, embarrassment, and rage. Some children also feel vulnerable and isolated. They are starved for approval, affection, and attention. Most children are usually emotionally, physically, and psychologically abandoned.

The violence causes the children to feel sad, guilty, shameful, fearful, angry, and depressed at the perpetrator of the violence as well as the other party for being unable to prevent the violence (Richards, 2011). Brown and Bzostek (2003) revealed that children who experience domestic aggression are more apt to exhibit antisocial and violent behaviors and are anxious and depressed than other children. In addition, they are more likely to have poor peer, social and sibling relationships, and oppositional behavior.

Long Term Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children Mental Health Children who witness domestic violence suffer post-traumatic disorder. Various researchers and clinicians have linked the trauma of experiencing and witnessing domestic violence with the impact exemplified by posttraumatic stress disorder (Humpreys & Thiara, 2003; Coleman & Guildford, 2001; Kilpatrick & Williams, 2010). Children have thoughts of hurting themselves or other persons, angry outbursts, feel on edge, have trouble sleeping, feel alone, feel sad, guilt and worried, stay away from home as they remind them of what happens, have scary thoughts that they cannot control, flashbacks and bad dreams (Pearson, Hester & Harwin, 2007).

Younger children exhibit disorganized or agitated behavior. In addition, domestic violence in re-experience through nightmares and there may be a persistent avoidance of all things that remind the children of the violence.

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