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Full Project – EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILD MENTAL HEALTH

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Domestic violence is globally described by various scholars, academicians and professionals in human development as a stern social problem, and to say the least, a human rights violation. Recent debate on domestic violence explains the significant influence it has on children’s mental health. Research over the years creates more awareness about the ordeal of children induced by family violence [McIntosh, 2009]. Nevertheless, the main problems identifies in domestic violence literatures is how to connect the vulnerable young children with the probable inter-spousal trauma that disrupt their neurological and biochemical pathways in development (Dodd, 2009, Kershaw et al 2008, Barnish, 2004, McGee 1997, Humphreys, 2006,).

Moreover, literature confirms the existing relationships between exposure to domestic violence (DV) and children’s development. For example, the British Psychological Society (BPS 2007) states that witness domestic violence at home will impact negatively on children quality of life. Besides, it is also establish that community offers limited support to tackle the problem of domestic violence. This is due to the increase in traditional and social cultural factors that mitigate such aggressive behavior. The term “domestic violence” is generally denotes as intimate conditions in which any of the partners in a household abused or abusing the other partner psychologically or physically. This situation is not limit to only one sex partner in a household but associates with both men and women living together in the same household (Holt, Buckley &Whelan, 2008). Moreover, domestic violence is a gender oriented and it creates social and public health issues that cut across nations, cultures religion and class (McIntosh, 2002, Dodd, 2009, UNIFEM 2007, Mooney 2000) and at the same time it is associates with particular cultural cum tribal communities, or restricted to a group in the society. While it is widely agree that intimate partner violence demonstrates a social problem that cut across nation, race, culture, ethnic groups and traditions, the recent challenges poses by its occurrence increases the interest and awareness that emanates from children exposure to DV. This deepened the observed awareness about its implication and influence on vulnerable young children (Hague & Mullender, 2006; Hazen, Connolly, Kelleher, Barth, & Landsverk, 2006).

Earlier research shows that children living in a domestic violence environment are prone to violent, frighten and other antisocial behavior. It is also establish that children living in hostile environment displayed low-level of social capability, and learning outcomes in school (Kitzmann, Gaylord, Holt & Kenny, 2003; Wolfe, Crooks, Lee McIntyre-Smith & Jaffe, 2003, Edleson & Nissley, 2011). Therefore, domestic violence encompasses all social, economic, religious and ethnic groups in the society (McIntosh, 2002, Dodd, 2009). Despite this evidence reports confirms that families from low socioeconomic background are the most affected compare to those from high socioeconomic background.

Furthermore, research suggests that growing in a hostile and unfriendly environment impact on children emotional, physical, and social development. Therefore children experiencing or associating with domestic violence develops service needs that correlates with their safety and impact on their mental, physical, and cognitive development. Dodd (2009), maintains that children raise in a domestic violence environment experiences poor socio-cognitive development in life .This influence their emotional, social, behavioral and intellectual development (Lazenbatt et al, 2009). The exposure of young people to DV results to high aggressiveness, anxiety, and changes in their social skills particularly, how they relate with friends, family, and authorities. Research also linked repression, and self-worth problems to children harrowing experiences. This shows that children experiencing DV develops social-cognitive problems, as well as poor problem-solving skills. Sadeler, (1994) suggests a correlation between the following experiences: ill-treatment; lack of care in childhood; committing partner violence; and sexual abuse in later life. He maintains that the perpetrator of violence deliberately mistreat the mother, while the youngster is present watching the scenario. This causes a ripple effect that will not only hurt the mother but also the child witnessing the dangerous situation, Damant, et al, (2010).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The recent evidence of adults experiencing domestic violence shows that the study is well documented and remains an issue of public concern. (Eldeson, et al 2006, Fantuzzo & MOHR, 1999, Jouriles, Northwood, McDonald, Vincent& Mahoney, 1996, Kitzman Gaylord, Hott & Kenny, 2003, Margolin & Gordis, 2004) Research establishes that little effort is directed on youngsters witnessing DV particularly in Sub Sahara Africa. Similarly, studies show that most of the research work on DV is concentrated on fierceness against women. Thus, the occurrence of DV continues to raise global concern about its implication on health and wellbeing of children and family

Although the subject drew people’s attention on the precarious situation it left the victims, particularly the vulnerable young children the needs to address the perilous situation before it causes more damage to the society is required. While the issue was clouded in obscurity, recent development calls for urgent attention from policy makers and researchers. Besides, research on the subject illustrates more on system responses and mostly targeting adult’s victims of abuse, thus gives limited or no devotion to children who are targets of domestic violence. As a result, this study will discuss this gap and shed light on how to minimize the psycho-social implication of such experience on the lives of salient victims in the society. Due to the complexity and difficulty associated with the subject, there is a need for high increase in research literature that observes the child development problems connected with domestic violence.

1.3 Objectives of Study

The primary objective of this study is to investigate into the effects of domestic violence on child mental health. Specifically, to:

Assess how the psychology of a child is impacted upon by domestic violence in the family.
Investigate the various forms of domestic violence.
Examine the academic consequences of domestic violence against women on a child.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions guide the study:

What are the psychological impact of domestic violence on a child mental health?
What are the various forms of domestic violence women experience?
How has domestic violence against women affected the academic performance of a child?

1.5 Hypotheses

The study developed for testing the following null hypotheses:

H₀¹: There is no significant relationship between domestic violence and child’s negative psychological change.

H₀²: There is no significant relationship between domestic violence and child’s poor academic performance.

1.6 Significance

This study investigate into domestic violence against women and its impact on children’s development on domestic violence against women on children’s development will bring to the notice of the populace the various forms of domestic violence women are exposed to in the society. The study will also help both governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify these abused families and children, develop strategies to combat domestic violence, and encourage socially inclusive intervention mechanisms in poor neighborhoods. The study will also be of immense benefit to the policy makers to make laws that will prevent such abuses on women and provide a stiff punishment for victims who abuse women. The study further will serve as a reference material to scholars, researcher and students who may carry out further research in this topic or related domain.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on investigating into effects of domestic violence on child mental health. It accessed how the psychology of a child is impacted upon by domestic violence in the family, the various forms of domestic violence and the mental health consequences of domestic violence on a child.The residents of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State will be used as the focus of the study.

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.9 Definition of Concepts

Violence:Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy.

Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation.

Impact:the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.

Child abuse: This consists of anything, which individuals, institutions or processes do or fail to do which directly or indirectly harms children or damages their prospects of safe and healthy development into adulthood.

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