Witnessing intimate partner violence : review of the literature on coping in young persons van Heugten, Kate; Wilson, Elizabeth
Material type:
ArticlePublication details: 2008Subject(s):
In: Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work : Review 20(3) 2008 : 52-62Summary: This article presents a review of the literature on how young people cope with witnessing intimate partner violence. Noting that the literature addressing this issue for young people in particular is minimal, the article describes shifts in the literature over the last fifteen years in relation to the specificity with which causes, impacts, and developmental considerations are addressed. The authors find that the environment in which the witnessing occurs is a key consideration when assessing impacts. It is concluded that if young people have access to resources beyond their immediate family home they may be able to build strategies to pursue non-violent lives. Further, young people who have the resources to deal with violence and trauma may be better equipped to be supportive peers and aware partners and community members.
Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work : Review 20(3) 2008 : 52-62
This article presents a review of the literature on how young people cope with witnessing intimate partner violence. Noting that the literature addressing this issue for young people in particular is minimal, the article describes shifts in the literature over the last fifteen years in relation to the specificity with which causes, impacts, and developmental considerations are addressed. The authors find that the environment in which the witnessing occurs is a key consideration when assessing impacts. It is concluded that if young people have access to resources beyond their immediate family home they may be able to build strategies to pursue non-violent lives. Further, young people who have the resources to deal with violence and trauma may be better equipped to be supportive peers and aware partners and community members.