Mediators and Effect Modifiers of the Causal Pathway Between Child Exposure to Domestic Violence and Internalizing Behaviors Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Childhood exposure to domestic violence (DV) can lead to mental health problems including internalizing symptoms. This systematic literature review aimed to identify individual-, familial-, and community-level factors that mediate or modify the effect of DV exposure on internalizing symptoms among children and adolescents. This systematic literature review was registered with PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42019127012. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched between 1990 and 2018 for peer-reviewed, quantitative, longitudinal studies published in English. Backreferencing and key journal hand searches were conducted. Twelve longitudinal studies were included. These investigated how factors amenable to change either mediate or modify the effect of exposure to DV on internalizing symptoms (using validated measures) in children and adolescents up to 18 years within a general population. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa risk of bias tool, and a sample of studies were second reviewed by authors. One individual-level mediator was identified, namely emotional intelligence, and two effect modifiers were identified: relational victimization and participation in extracurricular activities. Familial mediators included maladaptive parenting and parenting stress, while effect modifiers included positive parenting (maternal warmth and availability) and family social support. No community-level factors were identified. All research was conducted in the United States, most focused on risk, and the majority measured outcomes in middle childhood. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that interventions provided to families exposed to intimate partner violence need to target both child and familial factors in order to successfully reduce children’s internalizing symptoms.

Prosecutorial decision-making regarding offenders’ social reintegration programs in intimate partner violence cases. A Portuguese study

“…Nevertheless, the present study reveals a concerning number of children exposed to IPV (more than 53%). Exposure of children to violence between parents or caregivers is still a much-researched risk factor [ 86 – 88 ]. This aspect must be taken into account, as it constitutes a form of serious violence against children, a risk factor for IPH, and prevention and rehabilitation of IPV cases need to include all involved family members [ 88 – 91 ].…”

Suspension of Criminal Proceedings for Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Impact on Re-Entries

“…The present study also reveals a concerning number of children exposed to IPV (more than 45%). This makes IPV cases an even more severe situation (Carter et al, 2020), requiring stouter measures from the CJS to effectively stop violence and protect victims.…”

Effectiveness of a High Intensive Trauma-focused, Family-based Therapy for Youth Exposed to Family Violence: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

“…These parenting di culties make it di cult for children to see their parents as a source of protection and support. For example, maladaptive parenting mediates the relationship between family violence and children's internalizing problems (27). Furthermore, there is evidence for the association of family violence with disturbed parent-child interaction (24) (7).…”

“…High levels of parental unavailability in combination with high levels of family violence are associated with insecure representations of the parent-child relationship and these representations are associated with children's engagement di culties at school (24). Also, the magnitude of the association between family violence and children's internalizing problems is dependent on the degree of parental warmth and availability (27).…”