Impact of domestic violence on the psychological wellbeing of children in Iran

This article presents the results of a study that examined the psychological wellbeing of a community sample of children in Iran (N=53) exposed to domestic violence, comparing them to a clinical comparison group without exposure to domestic violence. The results replicated past findings of elevated levels of trauma symptomatology in this population. Further, children exposed to domestic violence differed significantly from unexposed children with respect to somatic symptoms and hostility. Specifically, higher domestic violence was associated with higher somatic symptoms and hostility levels. These results indicate that children exposed to domestic violence have different physical and psychological health to controls and may be physiologically and psychologically traumatised by virtue of exposure to domestic violence.