Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence: an overview
Abstract
Children's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with significant emotional impairment and other harmful effects. It is increasingly recognized as a type of child maltreatment, with outcomes similar to other types of abuse and neglect. Children can experience harm from exposure to IPV, even when not directly involved in, or a witness to, the violence between caregivers. This review, based on a synthesis of best available evidence, addresses the epidemiology of children's exposure to IPV, including prevalence, risk and protective factors, and associated impairment, as well as strategies for identification, and interventions for prevention of exposure and impairment. Strategies for ensuring children's safety are also discussed. The article concludes with guidance specific to mental health clinicians.
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There is a body of early evidence for use of ketamine intravenously for rapid reduction of suicidal ideation; however, the longer-term impacts are still unknown.
“There is a body of early evidence for use of ketamine intravenously for rapid reduction of suicidal ideation; 653,654 however, the longer-term impacts are still unknown. 655”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [653]
Cites
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“Evans et al. (2008) analyzed the relationship between children’s exposure to IPV and internalizing, externalizing, and trauma symptoms across 60 studies published between 1990–2006.”
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- Authors
- McTavish, J. R., MacGregor, J. C. D., Wathen, C. N., & MacMillan, H. L.
- Affiliations
- McMaster University (CA)
- Western University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- MacMillan, Harriet L.
- Venue
- International Review of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-07-14
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 504-518
- ISSN
- 0954-0261 (ISSN-L)
- 1369-1627
- OpenAlex
- W2472984959
- Cited by
- 229
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 2.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Review of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Scholarship@Western (Western University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- World Health Organization
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Keywords
- intimate partner violence, children exposed to violence, child abuse, emotional impairment, prevalence, risk and protective factors, prevention interventions, child safety, mental health professionals
- MeSH terms
- Intimate Partner Violence, Exposure to Violence, Child, Child Abuse, Humans
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