Children's coping with domestic violence

Abstract

Approximately 15 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year. Witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) often negatively affects children's adaptive abilities, emotional well-being, social functioning, and physical health. For child witnesses, these problems are associated with increased use of mental health and health care resources. Little is known regarding children's perceptions on how they cope with exposure to IPV. The purpose of this study was to explore children's perceptions of psychological, supportive, and spiritual coping strategies with exposure to IPV. Ecological theory was utilized as a framework for this study.