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Cited by 1,524Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceChild Abuse and TraumaChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Child witnesses to domestic violence: A meta-analytic review

Kitzmann, Katherine M., Gaylord, Noni K., Holt, Aimee R., Kenny, Erin D.·2003·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
DOI 10.1037/0022-006x.71.2.339
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Abstract

This meta-analysis examined 118 studies of the psychosocial outcomes of children exposed to interparental violence. Correlational studies showed a significant association between exposure and child problems (d = -0.29). Group comparison studies showed that witnesses had significantly worse outcomes relative to nonwitnesses (d = -0.40) and children from verbally aggressive homes (d = -0.28). but witnesses' outcomes were not significantly different from those of physically abused children (d = 0.15) or physically abused witnesses (d = 0.13). Several methodological variables moderated these results. Similar effects were found across a range of outcomes, with slight evidence for greater risk among preschoolers. Recommendations for future research are made, taking into account practical and theoretical issues in this area.

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  • Kitzmann et al. (2003) found no gender effect on externalizing symptoms.

    “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 Kitzmann et al. (2003)

  • Kitzmann et al. (2003) reported d = -.50 for internalizing symptoms and d = -.43 for externalizing symptoms when studies employed a group design comparing witnesses to nonwitnesses.

    “For example, when examining the mean effect sizes for specific psychosocial outcomes, Kitzmann et al. (2003) reported d = -.50 for internalizing symptoms and d = -.43 for ex- ternalizing symptoms when studies employed a group design comparing witnesses to nonwitnesses.”

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

  • Kitzmann et al. (2003) integrated results of 118 published and unpublished studies dating from 1978 to 2000 that examined associations between exposure to domestic violence and childhood outcomes.

    “On the other hand, Kitzmann et al. (2003) integrated results of 118 published and unpublished studies dating from 1978 to 2000 that examined associations between exposure to do- mestic violence and childhood outcomes, such as social problems, internalizing symptoms, and exter- nalizing symptoms.”

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

  • Several studies published after 1990 (n = 21) were either not included or have been published since the cutoff date for inclusion in Kitzmann et al. (2003).

    “However, several studies published after 1990 ( n = 21) were either not included or have been published since the cutoff date for inclusion in that meta-analysis.”

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

  • Kitzmann et al. (2003) did not find significant gender differences.

    “In contrast to the present study and to the broader anal- yses by Wolfe, Kitzmann et al. (2003) did not find significant gender differences.”

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

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Authors
Kitzmann, K. M., Gaylord, N. K., Holt, A. R., & Kenny, E. D.
Affiliations
University of Memphis (US)
Venue
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2003
Volume
71
Issue
2
Pages
339-352
ISSN
  • 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2117
DOI
10.1037/0022-006x.71.2.339
OpenAlex
W2138853937
Cited by
1,524
References
162
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 93 · 2019: 95 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 92 · 2016: 84 · 2015: 108 · 2014: 96 · 2013: 92 · 2012: 74
FWCI
3.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (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
interparental violence, children exposed to domestic violence, psychosocial outcomes, child problems, verbal aggression, physical abuse, preschool children
MeSH terms
Child, Psychology, Child, Humans, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Domestic Violence

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