Domestic Violence and Children Mental Health

Ecological Perspectives to Children Exposure to Domestic Violence

Master's Thesis from the year 2012 in the subject Social Pedagogy / Social Work, grade: A, University of Botswana (Social Sciences), course: Master of Social Work, language: English, abstract: The recent interest in children's exposure to domestic violence (DV) has brought about the argument concerning the effects of such experience on their mental health. As a severe societal issue, domestic violence signifies a source of susceptibility aimed at young people and serves as a threat towards attaining constructive outcomes. This study explores developmental-ecological model to increase our knowledge and understanding of children's exposure to domestic violence, (CEDV) in a household. The study used the accessible materials on the incidence of domestic violence to analyse the emotional and behavioral trajectories that result from children early experience of domestic violence in a household. Finally, findings show that there is significant correlation between witnessing violence at home and children mental health. KEY WORDS: Domestic violence, children at risk, mental health, intimate partner violence, and children exposed to domestic violence, exposure to domestic violence, children witnessing domestic violence.

Olusegun Afolabi had his first degree, B.Sc (Hon) Psychology from University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1998, Master degree in Children Health Development Learning Intervention (M. CHILD) from Malardalen University, Sweden in 2006, Master of Social Work (Clinical) from University of Botswana, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from Atlantic International University, USA and PhD in Special Education from University of Botswana . Dr. Afolabi, is a member of British Psychological Society (MBPsS) and International Society in Early Intervention (ISEI).