Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis of Child and Adolescent Outcomes

Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis of Child and Adolescent Outcomes

February 27, 2008 | Corrie A. Davies, Sarah E. Evans, David K. DiLillo
This study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between childhood exposure to domestic violence and children's internalizing, externalizing, and trauma symptoms. The analysis included 60 studies, with a mean weighted effect size of .48 for internalizing symptoms and .47 for externalizing symptoms, indicating moderate effects. A larger mean weighted effect size of 1.54 was found for trauma symptoms, though this figure is based on only six studies. Moderator analyses revealed that the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and externalizing symptoms was stronger for boys than for girls. No significant effects were found for age, age by gender, or recruitment setting variables. The study suggests that recent research is addressing methodological limitations in past studies, and it recommends further research to clarify the moderating roles of gender and age.This study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between childhood exposure to domestic violence and children's internalizing, externalizing, and trauma symptoms. The analysis included 60 studies, with a mean weighted effect size of .48 for internalizing symptoms and .47 for externalizing symptoms, indicating moderate effects. A larger mean weighted effect size of 1.54 was found for trauma symptoms, though this figure is based on only six studies. Moderator analyses revealed that the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and externalizing symptoms was stronger for boys than for girls. No significant effects were found for age, age by gender, or recruitment setting variables. The study suggests that recent research is addressing methodological limitations in past studies, and it recommends further research to clarify the moderating roles of gender and age.
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[slides and audio] Exposure to domestic violence%3A A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes