scholarly journals Life after Domestic Homicide: Examining the Psychosocial Implications on Children-Survivor

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Richard A. Aborisade ◽  
Comfort O. Oyafunke-Omoniyi ◽  
Abimbola R. Shontan
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Domestic Homicide ◽  
Psychiatric Disturbance ◽  
Public Defenders ◽  
Child Psychologists ◽  
Exposure To Domestic Violence ◽  
Relief Of Suffering ◽  
Psychosocial Implications

Although the problem of domestic violence has received considerable attention, the study of domestic homicide is relatively recent and limited to precipitating conditions or the act itself. Most of the literature on familicide focuses on the personality characteristics of the victim and perpetrator or tries to answer the question, “How did the death happen?” Little notice, however, has been given to the children of the victim and offender who, in the midst of their loss and extreme suffering, inherit the fallout from the death of one parent, and incarceration of the other. The study therefore explored the psychosocial implications of parental absence on account of death and incarceration on surviving children. Qualitative data were obtained from 18 convicted and awaiting trial inmates for spousal homicide in three selected prisons in Lagos state, key informant interviews (KII) with four officials of Office of Public Defenders (OPD), three officials of Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and two child psychologists. Surviving children of domestic homicide suffer massive upheaval, psychiatric disturbance, ill health, financial difficulties, ostracism, scars from witnessing the domestic violence that preceded the murder and the propensity for future intrafamilial violence. The study concludes that direct and indirect exposure to domestic violence and homicide is negatively associated with children’s emotional, behavioural and developmental well-being. Hence, welfare of such children which should include therapy, relief of suffering, resolution of trauma symptoms, provision of supportive environment and clarification of cognitive or emotional distortions about the homicide should be incorporated in the prosecution process by relevant agencies.

scholarly journals Exposure to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Evidence of Distinct Physical and Psychological Dimensions

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 3102-3123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Naughton ◽  
Aisling T. O’Donnell ◽  
Orla T. Muldoon
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Exposure To Domestic Violence ◽  
Psychological Dimensions ◽  
Domestic Violence And Abuse

Recent literature on exposure to domestic violence (DV) highlights the need for increased understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). The current aims were to explore whether two separate dimensions, physical and psychological DVA, were evident in adult children’s reports of their exposure to DVA in their family of origin, and whether these dimensions affected psychological well-being and perceived satisfaction with emotional support (hereafter referred to as social support satisfaction). Young adults ( N = 465, aged 17-25, 70% female) reported their experiences of DVA as perpetrated by their parents/caregivers, as well as psychological well-being and social support satisfaction, in an online survey. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we verified the presence of a two-factor model (physical and psychological DVA). Hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated the differing impact of these two factors: Specifically, although exposure to psychological DVA (domestic abuse [DA]) was related to reduced psychological well-being, there was no significant effect of exposure to physical DVA (DV). However, mediation analysis suggested the presence of a suppression effect; there was a magnification of the negative relationship between exposure to psychological DA and social support satisfaction when exposure to physical DV was accounted for. Although findings are preliminary, they provide strong evidence to support theoretical arguments regarding the need for future research to conceptualize exposure to DVA in terms of both physical and psychological dimensions. Our findings also highlight that to improve service response and provide effective interventions, it is essential to include exposure to psychological DA in risk assessments of such young adults.

scholarly journals Exposure to Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Potent Threat to the Mental Well-being of Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-159
Author(s):  
Boo Woi Hon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Movement Restriction ◽  
Exposure To Domestic Violence ◽  
Restriction Policy

The unprecedented scale of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has indeed brought about tremendous ramifications on the state of mental health for children. One notable aspect deserving emphasis however, is the psychological impact in children as a result of the purported surge of domestic violence (DV) in many of the countries that imposed stay-at-home requirement. The imposition of movement restriction policy led to isolation and overcrowding, made worse by loss of income in some instances, causing high levels of stress and anxiety, thereby increasing the risk of DV and child abuse particularly those already living within violent or dysfunctional families. Children exposed to DV have higher risk of developmental delay and behavioural problems, more likely to suffer from post-traumatic symptoms, depression and anxiety, reduced cognitive functioning and social competence. Additionally, these children tend to have poorer academic performance and are more likely to engage in violent or abusive relationship later in life. Health care providers need to be vigilant and actively screen and identify children or families that are affected by DV to protect their physical and mental health well-being.

Trauma Symptoms and Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn H. Howell ◽  
Zahra Hadi ◽  
Alyson Sularz
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Trauma Symptoms

The Relations between Cultural Life Scripts, Individual Life Stories, and Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Anne ◽  
Steve M. J. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Individual Life ◽  
Significant Events ◽  
Cultural Life ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Life Scripts

Cultural Life Scripts (CLS) are shared knowledge about personal events expected to be experienced by individuals within a society, and used as a framework for life story narration. Differences in CLS for individuals with depression and trauma, and their relations to anxiety, stress, and well-being, have not been investigated. Malaysian participants (N = 120) described and rated seven significant events most likely to be experienced by a prototypical infant from their culture, and seven significant events they had experienced or expected to experience in their own life. Participants then answered questionnaires about depression and trauma symptoms and about anxiety, stress, and well-being. The subclinical depression group listed less typical CLS events, whereas the subclinical PTSD group listed less positive individual life story events. The findings indicate that, although individuals with depression and trauma possess knowledge of the CLS, there may be small differences in the cognitive processing of CLS and individual life story events.

Child Protective Services Guidelines for Substantiating Exposure to Domestic Violence as Maltreatment and Assigning Caregiver Responsibility: Policy Analysis and Recommendations

2021 ◽  
pp. 107755952110026
Author(s):  
Bryan G. Victor ◽  
Ashley N. Rousson ◽  
Colleen Henry ◽  
Haresh B. Dalvi ◽  
E. Susana Mariscal
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Child Protective Services ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protective Services ◽  
Child Exposure ◽  
Exposure To Domestic Violence ◽  
Welfare Systems ◽  
Child Welfare Systems

The purpose of this study was to examine the range of policy approaches used by child welfare systems in the United States to guide workers in classifying and substantiating child exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) as an actionable form of maltreatment. To that end, we conducted a qualitative document analysis of child protective services (CPS) policy manuals from all state-administered child welfare systems in the U.S. ( N = 41). Our findings indicate that a majority of state-administered systems (71%) have adopted policy requiring workers to demonstrate that children have endured harm or the threat of harm before substantiating CEDV-related maltreatment. Many state systems (51%) also include policy directives that require workers to identify a primary aggressor during CPS investigations involving CEDV, while far fewer (37%) provide language that potentially exonerates survivors of domestic violence from being held accountable for failure to protect on the basis of their own victimization. Based on our findings and identification of policy exemplars, we offer a recommended set of quality policy indicators for states to consider in the formulation of their policy guidelines for substantiating children’s exposure to domestic violence that promotes the safety and wellbeing of both children and adult survivors of domestic violence.

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