How Intimate Partner Violence Affects Children

Researchers have estimated that 15 million American children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, with 7 million exposed to severe violence in their homes. The past decade has seen a surge in research and interventions for such children. We now know that IPV exposure affects children's physical health, social and emotional behavior, cognitive functioning, and neurobiological and relational development. Furthermore, a number of evidence-based interventions have been developed for children of different ages, from infancy through adolescence. It is now possible to provide services for children of different ages using evidence-based, age-appropriate interventions. Using a developmental framework, this book presents the most up-to-date research on how exposure to IPV affects children and how clinicians can treat these children. It combines outcome research, evidence-based interventions, and case study material for four different age groups: prenatal to infancy, toddler to early childhood, school-age children, and adolescents. With its threefold focus on research, interventions, and case studies, this book will appeal to all researchers, practitioners, and graduate students who work with children exposed to IPV.