Violent relationships. Discuss the impact and possible effects of Essay

Violent relationships. Discuss the impact and possible effects of witnessing domestic violence as a child. Use psychological theory to explain your answer - Essay Example Even in the late 20th century, almost 3.2 million children in America experienced domestic violence annually (Carlson, 1984). This rate has increased further over the years. Children who witness domestic violence are vulnerable to developing different kinds of age-dependent negative influences. Similar psychological effects may be noticed in children who are abused and children who witness abuse being done to someone else. These children may experience a range of such internalized behaviors as depression and anxiety, as well as different kinds of externalized behaviors like bullying, cheating, lying, and fighting. These children are generally noticed to be more disobedient in all sorts of contexts and environments, and accordingly they are likely to experience different kinds of social competence problems. Negative effects of witnessing domestic abuse as a child vary across age span. Children’s need for attachment is disrupted in homes where partners are abused. As infants, these children cry excessively and suffer from different sleeping and eating disorders. As preschool-aged children, they develop different kinds of psychosomatic complaints including abdominal pain and headache. Regressive behaviors such as thumb sucking, sleep disturbance, and enuresis are also observed in these preschool-aged children. Unlike other children who secure a sense of protection and stability from their parents in the preschool years, children who witness domestic abuse do not get these essentials from their parents. These children may feel increased anxiety in strange settings and display behaviors such as crying and whining. Preschool-aged children also experience parasomnias and insomnia. School-aged children show psychosomatic complaints like abdominal pain and headache. They underperform co mpared to other children at school. Because of the negative effect of witnessing domestic abuse on their confidence and self-esteem,