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Review of Family Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence with a Child Focus or Child Component

NCJ Number
234417
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2011 Pages: 144-166
Author(s)
Cynthia F. Rizo; Rebecca J. Macy; Dania M. Ermentrout; Natalie B. Johns
Date Published
April 2011
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined child exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV).
Abstract
Given the mounting support for the connection between IPV exposure and negative sequelae for children, the development and empirical testing of interventions for IPV-exposed children has been deemed a critical priority. However, it is difficult for researchers to build a body of research concerned with interventions for IPV-exposed children without a critical summary and analysis of existing research. To address this knowledge gap, the authors conducted a comprehensive literature review and a critical analysis of the literature concerned with interventions that either directly or indirectly target IPV-exposed children. This search identified 31 articles for review, and detailed summaries of all articles are provided, including the program focus, study design, sample information, and key study findings, as well as study strengths and limitations. The author's analysis determined four categories of interventions in this literature review: counseling/therapy, crisis/outreach, parenting, and multicomponent intervention programs. Their findings also show that researchers have mainly tried to address needs of IPV-exposed children by offering services to children directly, and/or to caregivers who are mothers. The authors discuss summaries of the intervention program's foci and service strategies. In addition, they offer recommendations for future intervention research. (Published Abstract)