Peter G. Jaffe

Children of battered women

Definition and Scope of the Problem Family Violence and Childrens Development Understanding the Impact of Traumatic Events in the Lives of Children Issues in Assessment and Intervention Strategies Implications for Childrens Services

The Effects of Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis and Critique

A wide range of childrens developmental outcomes are compromised by exposure to domestic violence, including social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and general health functioning. However, there are relatively few empirical studies with adequate control of confounding variables and a sound theoretical basis. We identified 41 studies that provided relevant and adequate data for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Forty of these studies indicated that childrens exposure to domestic violence was related to emotional and behavioral problems, translating to a small overall effect (Zr = .28). Age, sex, and type of outcome were not significant moderators, most likely due to considerable heterogeneity within each of these groups. Co-occurrence of child abuse increased the level of emotional and behavioral problems above and beyond exposure alone, based on 4 available studies. Future research needs are identified, including the need for large-scale longitudinal data and theoretically guided approaches that take into account relevant contextual factors.

Similarities in behavioral and social maladjustment among child victims and witnesses to family violence

This study examines the impact of exposure to family violence on school-aged boys. Boys who had witnessed violence between their parents were compared to boys who had been abused by their parents. The findings indicate that boys exposed to violence had a pattern of adjustment problems similar to those of abused boys and significantly different in severity and type from those of a community comparison group.

A School-Based Program to Prevent Adolescent Dating Violence: A Cluster Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE To determine whether an interactive curriculum that integrates dating violence prevention with lessons on healthy relationships, sexual health, and substance use reduces physical dating violence (PDV). DESIGN Cluster randomized trial with 2.5-year follow-up; prespecified subgroup analyses by sex. SETTING Grade 9 health classes. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1722 students aged 14-15 from 20 public schools (52.8% girls). Intervention A 21-lesson curriculum delivered during 28 hours by teachers with additional training in the dynamics of dating violence and healthy relationships. Dating violence prevention was integrated with core lessons about healthy relationships, sexual health, and substance use prevention using interactive exercises. Relationship skills to promote safer decision making with peers and dating partners were emphasized. Control schools targeted similar objectives without training or materials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome at 2.5 years was self-reported PDV during the previous year. Secondary outcomes were physical peer violence, substance use, and condom use. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS The PDV was greater in control vs intervention students (9.8% vs 7.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-6.02; P = .05). A significant group x sex interaction effect indicated that the intervention effect was greater in boys (PDV: 7.1% in controls vs 2.7% in intervention students) than in girls (12.1% vs 11.9%). Main effects for secondary outcomes were not statistically significant; however, sex x group analyses showed a significant difference in condom use in sexually active boys who received the intervention (114 of 168; 67.9%) vs controls (65 of 111 [58.6%]) (P < .01). The cost of training and materials averaged CA

Child witnesses to violence between parents: Critical issues in Behavioral and social adjustment

16 per student. CONCLUSION The teaching of youths about healthy relationships as part of their required health curriculum reduced PDV and increased condom use 2.5 years later at a low per-student cost.

An evaluation of a secondary school primary prevention program on violence in intimate relationships

This study examined the impact of exposure to family violence on childrens adjustment. Two groups of residents of shelters for battered women (current and former residents) were compared to a nonviolent control group. All three groups of mothers completed interviews and selfreport questionnaires related to both their own and their childrens adjustment. Children recently witnessing violence tended to have the lowest levels of social competence ratings, and their mothers reported the most health and emotional difficulties. Former residents of shelters experienced the highest level of family/social disadvantage. The results are discussed in the context of previous research findings, and implications for intervention programs are outlined.

Ending the cycle of violence : community responses to children of battered women

A large-scale primary prevention program for wife assault and dating violence was evaluated, employing a measure of attitudes, by means of the London Family Court Clinic Questionnaire on Violence in Relationships. The target audience comprised all students in four high schools. A brief intervention, including a large group presentation on wife assault and dating violence, followed by classroom discussion facilitated by community professionals was instituted. Attitudes, knowledge and behavioral intentions were assessed prior to intervention, immediately afterward, and at five to six weeks postintervention, in a stratified classroom level random sample of the participants. Significant positive attitude, knowledge, and behavioral intention changes were found at posttest, and the majority of these were maintained at delayed follow-up. Striking sex differences were found, with females consistently showing better attitudes than males. A ‘backlash’ effect was noted among a small number of males after the intervention. It was hypothesized that this group may already be involved in abusive behavior and require secondary, rather than primary, prevention. Students reported a high level of awareness of and experience with violence in their own and their friends’ dating and family relationships, and overwhelmingly endorsed primary prevention of relationship violence in the schools.

Emotional and physical health problems of battered women

PART ONE: LIVING IN A VIOLENT CULTURE Introduction - Einat Peled, Peter G Jaffe and Jeffrey L Edleson Learning to be Violent - Myriam Miedzian PART TWO: SHELTERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS Assessment Following Violence-Witnessing Trauma - William Arroyo and Spencer Eth Individual Psychotherapy for the Traumatized Children of Abused Women - Louise Silvern, Jane Karyl and Toby Y Landis Process and Outcome in Small Groups for Children of Battered Women - Einat Peled and Jeffrey L Edleson Empowering Battered Women as Mothers - Joan Bilinkoff Parenting Groups for Men Who Batter - David J Mathews Advocacy for Children of Battered Women - Honore M Hughes and Michele Marshall PART THREE: CHILD PROTECTION AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM How Abused Women Can Use the Law To Help Protect Their Children - Joan Zorza Child Protection Services for Children of Battered Women - Carole Echlin and Larry Marshall Practice and Controversy Doing More Harm Than Good? Some Cautions on Visitation Centers - Martha McMahon and Ellen Pence PART FOUR: PREVENTION AND EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES Teach Your Children Well - Denise Gamache and Sarah Snapp Elementary Schools and Violence Prevention Violence Prevention Programs in Secondary (High) Schools - Marlies Sudermann, Peter G Jaffe and Elaine Hastings Strategies To Address Violence in the Lives of High Risk Youth - David A Wolfe et al Aboriginal Canadian Children Who Witness and Live with Violence - Claudette Dumont-Smith Conclusion - Einat Peled, Peter G Jaffe and Jeffrey L Edleson

Emerging Strategies in the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

The present study focused on the emotional and physical health problems of battered women by comparing a sample of residents in shelters with a group of women in the community matched for family income, length of marriage, and number of children on the General Health Questionnaire. The results indicated that battered women report a significantly higher level of somatic complaints, anxiety, and depression. These effects tended to be associated with other life stressors and children with serious behavior problems. The implications of the study are discussed in terms of assessing the needs of battered women and their children as well as being vigilant for family violence as an etiological factor for other presenting problems.

Longitudinal Prediction and Concurrent Functioning of Adolescent Girls Demonstrating Various Profiles of Dating Violence and Victimization

Responses to domestic violence have focused, to date, primarily on intervention after the problem has already been identified and harm has occurred. There are, however, new domestic violence prevention strategies emerging, and prevention approaches from the public health field can serve as models for further development of these strategies. This article describes two such models. The first involves public health campaigns that identify and address the underlying causes of a problem. Although identifying the underlying causes of domestic violence is difficult--experts do not agree on causation, and several different theories exist--these theories share some common beliefs that can serve as a foundation for prevention strategies. The second public health model can be used to identify opportunities for domestic violence prevention along a continuum of possible harm: (1) primary prevention to reduce the incidence of the problem before it occurs; (2) secondary prevention to decrease the prevalence after early signs of the problem; and (3) tertiary prevention to intervene once the problem is already clearly evident and causing harm. Examples of primary prevention include school-based programs that teach students about domestic violence and alternative conflict-resolution skills, and public education campaigns to increase awareness of the harms of domestic violence and of services available to victims. Secondary prevention programs could include home visiting for high-risk families and community-based programs on dating violence for adolescents referred through child protective services (CPS). Tertiary prevention includes the many targeted intervention programs already in place (and described in other articles in this journal issue). Early evaluations of existing prevention programs show promise, but results are still preliminary and programs remain small, locally based, and scattered throughout the United States and Canada. What is needed is a broadly based, comprehensive prevention strategy that is supported by sound research and evaluation, receives adequate public backing, and is based on a policy of zero tolerance for domestic violence.