Review of Related Literature
Family and violence
The term parent-child relationship refers to the unique and enduring bond between a caregiver and his or her child, and a healthy parent-child relationship is essential to an individuals’ development. The primary caregivers of children are their parents; the other key caregivers may be the child’s other relatives or the friends of the child’s parents. Most of the time, the attachment working models of the relationships with parents and other key caregivers is established in infancy and childhood should be the foundation for attachment representations throughout life (Dinero, Conger, Shaver, Widaman, & Larsen-Rife, 2008). Whilst the term child maltreatment is the maltreatment or abuse that includes
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In addition, their life circumstances are often more difficult: including lower socioeconomic status, and less available social support (Letourneau, Fedick, & Willms, 2007). Given these problems, it is unsurprising that there are researchers who have found that their parenting is negatively affected. Specifically, these mothers have been found to be at higher risk to abuse their children, and are more likely to report using harsh parenting methods such as psychological aggression, physical aggression, and neglectful behaviors (Kelleher, Hazen, Coben, Wang, McGeehan, Kohl, & Gardner, 2008). Mother-to-child maltreatment, or specifically physical abuse, is a consistent predictor of intimate partner violence (Fritz, Slep, & O’Leary, 2012; Hendy, Weiner, Bakerofskie, Eggen, Gustitus, & McLeod, 2003; Moretti, Obsuth, Odgers, & Reebey, 2006). An explanation for this is that mothers are the primary attachment figures for their children (Doherty, & Feeny. 2004), and that they therefore play an influential role in their child’s interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills (Moretti, et. al., 2006). A number of developmental theories along with social learning theory, object relations theory, and attachment theory propose that individuals construct expectations of self, others, and relationships through observing, modelling, and …show more content…
al (2003) provided information on the relationship between childhood exposure to abuse and violence increases the risk of intimate partner violence in later adult life. Their analysis is focused solely on examining the risk of intimate partner violence as an adult who has been exposed to abuse and violence in their childhood. Attachment patterns are also closely shaped by the family-of-origin patterns and knowledge in early childhood and these patterns continue to exert a substantial influence over the years. Behavioral observations of interactions between parents and their early adolescent child predicted important features of the child’s interactions with their intimate partner during their early adulthood (Dinero, et. al., 2008). The quantity of evidence suggests that there is a positive relationship between childhood maltreatment and intimate partner abuse perpetration, with research indicating that both males and females with a history of childhood maltreatment are at greater risk for engaging in intimate partner abuse (Bevan & Higgins, 2002; White & Widom, 2003; Wolfe, Wekerle, Scott, Straatman, & Grasley, 2004; Gratz, Paulson, Jakupcak, & Tull, 2009). The mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear, despite the fact that it is clear that childhood maltreatment increases the risk for later intimate partner abuse perpetration. Furthermore, although several mediators of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and intimate
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem in youth and young adults. Serious short- and long-term consequences of IPV, coupled with high prevalence, have driven researchers to formulate theoretical frameworks to explain why individuals engage in abusive behaviors toward their partners.
The formative experiences that define a child's home life will have a lasting impact on the individual as he or she enters the later stages of childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The degree to which one's family life is loving, nurturing, supportive and attentive is a substantial determinant in emotional, social and intellectual development. Accordingly, a home which is abusive, violent, negative and neglectful is more than likely to have deleterious effects for the child both while and well after maintaining residence there. This turns us toward the focus of the present study, which is the impact levied by domestic violence on children.
Babies have a biological drive to form a connection with a primary caregiver, forming an attachment, which can take many forms. A fundamental part of healthy development is a secure attachment, characterized by love and attention from a caregiver. Attachment styles form the basis of subsequent internal working models, or mental construal of the self, others, and relationships based on one’s history of care. An infant with a history of positive experiences will form positive interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, insecurely attached children will not follow a normal course of development and exhibit negative behaviors in the social environment. These children display aggressive and inconsistent behavior. This is due to the child experiencing abusive and neglectful behavior from a caregiver, and forming a negative internal working model based on such experiences throughout development. Current research examines a link between attachment insecurity and later delinquency, particularly in the realm of sexual offense.
Domestic violence effects everybody in a family. Patterns of abuse from one parent to another, between both parents or directed toward a child all have a composite effect of inflicting potentially severe emotional damage upon the child. The research outlined here identifies domestic violence as a serious sociological problem and consequently provides a usable definition of domestic violence for the present study. This is followed by a discussion on the various psychological consequences of exposure to domestic violence for a developing child. This includes acknowledgement of the manner in which this exposure may damage the ability to formulate healthy social relationships later in life as well as a greater proclivity toward behavior problems, learning difficulties, substance abuse and a learned pattern of violent tendencies.
There are millions of examples of children who not only witness intimate partner violence (IPV) but also has been victimized. ( Christoff, Murrell & Henning, 2007) Children exposed to these kinds of violent behavior at such a young age also show signs of these behaviors, many violent, as adults. Evidence shows that witnessing violent behavior as a child correlates to patterns of abuse into adulthood as well. (Murrell et al., 2007) Over the years there has been a growing recognition that young people who witness IPV is has much of the same impact as a child victimized of abuse. This often damages their long term social and emotional well-being. Having a safe place outside of the home along with a supportive
The most significant bond of life is between the infant and primary caregiver. John Bowlby, the eminent authority, describes attachment as the natural connection between baby and mother (as cited in Alexander, 1992, p.186). Family dynamics have changed since Bowlby’s time, for this reason, the research analyzes the relationship of the infant and primary caregiver. Bowlby’s attachment theory infers that the path of these bonds lay the groundwork for future behavior, view of one’s self, and relationship with others (Colonnesi et al., 2011). Research on abuse and neglect of infants and it’s correlation to insecure attachment and the type of insecure attachment is vital to set up an early intervention protocol.
parents actions and personality is mirrored by their children for example Luke abuses his girlfriend just as same as Luke's dad .Luke's dad abuses luke he uses violence to control his son Luke”I want my money young man tomorrow ,or its you ass” .This negative behaviour is picked up by Luke. Luke is also abusive and violent”you filthy liar”to sara / girlfriend .This shows that Luke is mirroring his dad’s abusive behaviour. Another example is Sara and her mother ,Sara’s mother is abused by her boyfriend and she keeps accepting his violent behaviour”you're lying bitch!”to Marry/Sara’s mother “you okay marry” to Marry “i'll be fine “ to Joe/Sara’s dad “im sorry i upset you” .This shows that Marry/ Sara’s mother is accepting her boyfriend's abuse
Young boys in the family who grow up watching their father mistreat their mother are more likely to abuse their spouse as they grow older. Past family history of domestic violence gives young boys the idea that women are weak and are not to be respected during their relationship. Young girls who eyewitness their family going through domestic violence are likely to be victimized by their spouse (Goldsmith 1).
Her research finds that, “Intimate partner violence is experienced by at least 1.3 million women each year, who make up 85 percent of the victims.” (McVay 4). Further stating that programs continue to be funded that are ineffective for these women that are experiencing the abuse. Shockingly Kristie also found a link between attachment and partner violence, showing that “…the influence of insecure parental attachment bonds creates an individual who often develops anxious adult romantic attachment patterns leading to a greater propensity to enter into a violent intimate relationship.” (McVay 4). Understanding that these predispositions occur in childhood is pivotal in understanding how these things blossom and continue to grow throughout life within a person’s character. That parent-child relationship plays a role into all other intimate relationships. In fact, “personality/behavior problems all stem from early developed attachment patterns.” (McVay 17). Analyzing adult attachment patterns showed why some people cling to violent intimate relationships as well. Proving that just as “…infants struggle with dissociation and rejection from their caregivers, so do adults suffer from separation from their intimate partners.((Feeney, 1999) Mcvay 19). Another important aspect is defining just what intimate partner violence (IPV) is. “(IPV) is perpetrated or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, or stalking violence, which includes willful intimidation perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner against another.” (McVay 54). This proves that intimate partner violence is not only physical but also emotional. It is something that negatively affects the partner, it is hard to detect, and can affect anyone, sometimes even without them recognizing it. After her study, she found that if the relationship doesn’t pose extremely dangerous
This suggest that attachment has been at the forefront of children’s social relationships. Attachment substantially contributes to our understanding of why the experience of being physically abused might lead to the development of representations and behavioral patterns that hinder the development of peer relationships. Like Social Learning Theory regarding parental abusive models, attachment plays a major role in how abuse affects children. As such, attachment theory explores the relevance of maltreatment and physical abuse on children. The theory also concludes that children who experience abuse or neglect are likely to develop insecure and disorganized attachments, causing them to extend that same behavior to their own children. This suggests that early childhood adverse experiences influence later parenting behavior (Begle, Dumas & Hanson, 2010).
For centuries humans have dedicated their time and research to animal experimentation. A large number of these animals are being utilized and taken from their homes involuntarily. They are abused, mishandled and harmed for our own benefit to create products such as cosmetic supplies, vaccines, and medication.
Domestic violence also greatly impacts the family structure and the relationships between the members. Domestic violence threatens both the relationship between the child and their mother and the child and their father. Children who are exposed to domestic violence do not have an emotionally available parent to foster their development and have a 30-60% higher risk for being abused by the perpetrator (NCADV, 2007); when the father is the perpetrator of the violence, he often knows little about his children, their interests, and progress in school (Crosson-Tower, 2009, p. 84). The mother’s parenting style may also be damaged from domestic violence; the perpetrator may not allow the mother to take care of her children properly or soothe them when they are upset, which can cause the children to believe their mother does not care for them. When a mother is constantly traumatized by domestic violence, it can be more difficult for her to be present and attentive in her children’s lives due to depression, anxiety, and lack of sleep (Centre for children and families in the justice system, 2009). Domestic violence has an impact on the ability for a family to function. The perpetrator may sow divisions between the members of the family by turning them against each other, or favoring one child over the others. There may also be role reversals in families who experience domestic violence; parentification of the children and infantilizing of the mother may
Domestic violence has grown to become a prevalent issue within households in the United States. Being such a great issue, we come to question the percentage of children affected and the impact it has on their social development and interaction with others. It is crucial for us to understand and recognize the long term effects that domestic violence can have on adolescents.
Another common effect on children who witness domestic violence is that they have severe gender role issues. Clearly, children exposed to the abuse of their mothers are at risk for learning deleterious patterns of social behavior and for developing distorted expectations about the appropriate roles of men and women in the family (Brescoll & Graham-Bermann, 2000, p.2). Therefore, children exposed
Previous research findings theorized that the children who were exposed to recurring Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and without regular father contact will more than likely have a higher level of internalizing and externalizing difficulties more so than those who are exposed to less frequent Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Also, children in an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) family may not have the “best relationships with their fathers, as they are found to have more conflict, resentment, and disappointment with their fathers” (Hunter & Graham-Bermann 's 2013).