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Cited by 974Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceChild Abuse and TraumaChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

The effects of children's exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis and critique

Wolfe, David A., Crooks, Claire V., Lee, Vivien, McIntyre-Smith, Alexandra, Jaffe, Peter G.·2003·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
DOI 10.1023/a:1024910416164
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Abstract

A wide range of children's developmental outcomes are compromised by exposure to domestic violence, including social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and general health functioning. However, there are relatively few empirical studies with adequate control of confounding variables and a sound theoretical basis. We identified 41 studies that provided relevant and adequate data for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Forty of these studies indicated that children's exposure to domestic violence was related to emotional and behavioral problems, translating to a small overall effect (Zr = .28). Age, sex, and type of outcome were not significant moderators, most likely due to considerable heterogeneity within each of these groups. Co-occurrence of child abuse increased the level of emotional and behavioral problems above and beyond exposure alone, based on 4 available studies. Future research needs are identified, including the need for large-scale longitudinal data and theoretically guided approaches that take into account relevant contextual factors.

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Crossref · 10.1023/a:1024910416164

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  • Wolfe et al. (2003) found that boys exposed to domestic violence experienced more externalizing symptoms than did girls.

    “Whereas Wolfe et al. (2003) found that boys exposed to domestic violence experienced more externalizing symptoms than did girls, Kitzmann et al. (2003) found no such effects.”

    From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Wolfe et al. (2003)

  • Wolfe et al. (2003) included 41 studies comparing exposed children to nonexposed children and assessed behavioral and emotional outcomes using standardized measures.

    “Wolfe et al. (2003) included 41 studies that compared exposed children to nonexposed children and assessed behavioral and emotional outcomes of child adjustment using standardized measures.”

    From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Wolfe et al. (2003)

  • Wolfe et al. (2003) reported an aggregate weighted mean correlation of z_r = .19 for internalizing symptoms, which translates to d = .38.

    “Similarly, Wolfe et al. (2003) reported an aggregate weighted mean correlation of z r = .19 for internal- izing symptoms, which translates to d = .38.”

    From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Wolfe et al. (2003)

  • Wolfe et al. (2003) reported z_r = .21 for externalizing symptoms, equivalent to d = .42.

    “Wolfe also reported z r = .21 for externalizing symptoms, which is equivalent to d = .42.”

    From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Wolfe et al. (2003)

  • In exploratory analyses by Wolfe that excluded the four boy-only studies, difference in externalizing symptoms between boys and girls became nonsignificant.

    “Interestingly, in exploratory analyses by Wolfe that ex- cluded the four boy-only studies, difference in externalizing symptoms between boys and girls be- came nonsignificant.”

    From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Wolfe et al. (2003)

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Authors
Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C. V., Lee, V., McIntyre-Smith, A., & Jaffe, P. G.
Affiliations
Western University (CA)
Corresponding author
Wolfe, David A.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2003-09
Volume
6
Issue
3
Pages
171-187
ISSN
  • 1096-4037 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2827
DOI
10.1023/a:1024910416164
OpenAlex
W2158108394
Cited by
970
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 54 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 67
FWCI
1.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
domestic violence exposure, children, emotional problems, behavioral problems, child abuse, child development, confounding variables, moderators, effect size heterogeneity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Child, Child Abuse, Child Behavior Disorders, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Domestic Violence, Crime Victims

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