Domestic Violence Case Study
Abstract
The purpose of the impending analysis was to examine the presence of posttraumatic stress on child witnesses to domestic violence. The scholarly article found in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry was investigated to aid in this inquiry. The article hypothesized that children witnessing domestic violence are predisposed to the same level of posttraumatic stress simultaneous to if they were the direct victims of physical abuse or sexual abuse. A sample of 35 children, 20 whom have witnessed domestic violence and 15 who had not, were assessed. The children, whose age ranged from 6-12, were selected from community agencies that provided support for disadvantaged families and abused women. The hypothesis was supported indicating that witnessing domestic violence is a precursor to …show more content…
This measure revealed that 15% viewed 1-3 episodes, 15% viewed 4-6 episodes, 25% viewed 7-10 episodes, and 45% viewed more than 10 episodes in the past year. Other tools used to aid in the data collection process consisted of instruments such as the Child Post-Traumatic Stress reaction Index (PTSRI) and the Conflict Tactic Scales (CTS, Form N) were utilized. Both tools were vital in assessing the mother and child to obtain a concise understanding of each child’s exposure to domestic violence. Results from the measures used indicated that that the children either had a presence or absence of a PTSD diagnosis that ranged from mild to severe based upon PTSRI scores. The children in the nonwitness group, along with one child from the witness group, scored below the minimum required of the PTSRI to be considered for a PTSD diagnosis. The results within the witness group warranted a PTSD diagnosis and indicated that two exhibited a mild level of PTSD, while eight exhibited a moderate level, and nine possessed a severe level of PTSD
The purpose of the impending analysis was to examine the presence of posttraumatic stress on child witnesses to domestic violence. The scholarly article found in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry was investigated to aid in this inquiry. The article hypothesized that children witnessing domestic violence are predisposed to the same level of posttraumatic stress simultaneous to if they were the direct victims of physical abuse or sexual abuse. A sample of 35 children, 20 whom have witnessed domestic violence and 15 who had not, were assessed. The children, whose age ranged from 6-12, were selected from community agencies that provided support for disadvantaged families and abused women. The hypothesis was supported indicating that witnessing domestic violence is a precursor to …show more content…
This measure revealed that 15% viewed 1-3 episodes, 15% viewed 4-6 episodes, 25% viewed 7-10 episodes, and 45% viewed more than 10 episodes in the past year. Other tools used to aid in the data collection process consisted of instruments such as the Child Post-Traumatic Stress reaction Index (PTSRI) and the Conflict Tactic Scales (CTS, Form N) were utilized. Both tools were vital in assessing the mother and child to obtain a concise understanding of each child’s exposure to domestic violence. Results from the measures used indicated that that the children either had a presence or absence of a PTSD diagnosis that ranged from mild to severe based upon PTSRI scores. The children in the nonwitness group, along with one child from the witness group, scored below the minimum required of the PTSRI to be considered for a PTSD diagnosis. The results within the witness group warranted a PTSD diagnosis and indicated that two exhibited a mild level of PTSD, while eight exhibited a moderate level, and nine possessed a severe level of PTSD