The Effects of Domestic Violence on Child Well-being in the UK

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Research Project
Topic: “Impact of domestic violence on children’s well-being”
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Table of Contents
Task TWO......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................7
Methodology.............................................................................................................................11
Ethical considerations..............................................................................................................14
Research Plan..........................................................................................................................15
Reference List..............................................................................................................................16
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Task TWO
Introduction
Domestic violence is considered as a growing problem in the UK society since the development
of the society past Industrial revolution era. According to the government records, around 2.0
million residents of the country reported to being victims of domestic violence in 2018
(Ons.gov.uk. 2019). Domestic violence is defined as an act of violence against the residents
within a domestic atmosphere; these include physical, emotional, psychological, financial as
well as sexual violence on individuals (Ons.gov.uk. 2019). Children are prone to being victims of
domestic violence due to their perceived naivety regarding the society.
Figure 1: Children and possibility of domestic violence
(Source: NSPCC, 2019)
According to the tenets of child psychology, it can be stated that children’s perception of the
world and its working varies from an adult’s perception. Hence, children are usually targeted as
primary victims of domestic violence.
Figure 2: Legal aspect of domestic violence
(Source: NSPCC, 2019)
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Impact of domestic violence on children is considered multi-dimensional affecting their mental
and psychological health. Violence on women with children in the vicinity affects the child’s
perception of reality as well (The Independent, 2012).
Aim and objectives
The study will provide an assessment on the impact domestic violence have on children’s well-
being.
The objectives of the study are:
 To consider the impact of domestic violence presents on the well-being of children
 To identify the negative impact of domestic violence on the well-being of children
 To study the psychological impact domestic violence pertains on children
 To develop awareness regarding the negative attributes of domestic violence on children
 To suggest strategies that The Children’s Society can implement in order to improve the
juvenile victims’ conditions
The objectives of the study would be achieved by answering the following research questions:
 How does the experience of domestic violence influence children’s well-being?
 What are the negative impacts of domestic violence on the well-being of children?
 How does domestic violence psychologically affect the juvenile victims?
 What strategies can organisations such as The Children’s Society implement in order to
improve the victim’s condition?
Organisational context
The Children’s Society was formed in 1881 based on the kind act of Edward Rudolf and
continued to provide safety and services to the youth of the society (The Children's Society,
2018). The organisation performs their activities according to the needs and requirements of the
young people living in the society. The growth of the country’s population has affected the youth
and juvenile population in diverse ways. The UK society had experienced multiple drawbacks
during the past century that has affected the well-being of children psychologically and
emotionally. The Children’s Society performs their operations in the UK society as a charity
organisation that undertakes the issues of children and youth of the society. The charity’s
primary function is to attract the attention of the government regarding serious issues that hinder
the well-being and safety of children and young people. Arranging for change of policies and
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legislative frameworks to improve the condition of children in the society is performed by the
organisation over the years.
Significance of the study
The study aims to provide a brief idea about the harmful effects domestic violence has on the
health and well-being of children. The purpose and significance of conducting this study lies on
the benefits drawn through the conclusions and recommendations of the study. The fulfilment of
the objectives will allow the researcher to develop an effective understanding of the negative
aspects of domestic violence on the vulnerable segments of the UK society.
Rationale
It has been observed that more than a million children in the UK are victims of domestic
violence and suffer direct and indirect influence from it in their later ages. It is reported to the
authorities that one in every five child has experienced some form of domestic violence and
there is a high chance of developing some forms of psychological disorder due to the exposure
of violence at home (NSPCC, 2019).
Figure 3: Victims of domestic violence
(Source: Jaffe, 2019)
Limitations of the study
The study will identify the psychological impact of domestic violence on children. The study will
consider the opinion of psychologists regarding the views on children and their well-being and
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domestic violence. It is essential to identify the multidisciplinary ways domestic violence
influences children’s well-being and over-all health. The outcomes of the study are affected by
the unavailability of literary sources that provides a deeper understanding of the psychological
effect of domestic violence on children. It is beyond the scope of the study to elaborate on
physical and future development of children experiencing domestic violence.
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Literature Review
Factors lead to domestic violence on children
Financial issue and Poor academic performance
As stated by Kiesel et al. (2016), it can be said that due to unemployment and poverty the
individuals are suffering from poor financial condition. This problem is leading towards inability
to fulfil the needs of their family members. As a result, they become violent towards their
children. On the other hand, Roffey (2016) argued that sometimes-poor academic performance
of the children lead to domestic violence from their parents. If they are unable to fulfil the
expectations of their parents regarding their academic performance, then their parents become
violent and abuse their children.
Disagreement and anger issues
Slopen et al. (2018) stated that, disagreements with parents can lead to domestic violence. In
many cases, it can be noticed that due to anger issue parents and children lead their normal
discussion to a huge disagreement. As a result, children stumble across domestic violence.
Theoretical framework
Freud's psychodynamic theory indicates that the individuals develop their behaviour from
their early experiences. According to Masten and Monn (2015), in case of children they should
receive proper care as well as affection from their parents. It helps them to understand how to
behave in society and develop a good behaviour.
As per behavioural theory, the professionals can take action related to the well-being of
children by observing their behaviour (Turney and Wildeman, 2015). In case if the children are
facing domestic violence then they can loss their self-esteem and blame themselves for the
violence. It is necessary to offer them necessary mental and emotional support by observing
their behaviour. After that, the children can be able to live their life in a better way and focus on
building their career.
Impact of domestic violence on the well-being of children
Low self-esteem
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As influenced by Morrison (2015) it can be said that, domestic violence leads to low self-esteem
among the children. They try to think that because of their fault they are facing this type of
behaviour of their family members. After that, it becomes difficult for them to fight with this
situation and concentrate on career building.
Adopting bad habits
Individuals adopt bad habits because of facing abusing behaviour from their family members. As
per the point of view of Hillis et al. (2016), after getting abused the children involve themselves
in bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol or in taking drugs. These habits can be the
reasons behind major health issues of them.
Heath issues
In case if the children are facing domestic violence then they suffer from various mental and
physical health issues (Kiesel et al., 2016). The level of diabetes of the individuals can be
increased due to taking so much tension. They can also face obesity as well as depression.
According to Turney and Wildeman (2015), if the children are suffering from stress and
depression then their academic performance can be hampered. Besides that, their ability to
create interpersonal relationship can also be lost.
Inability to build relationship with others
As per Masten and Monn (2015), the individuals become unable to build interpersonal
relationship with others if they are the victim of domestic violence.
They fail to trust any other individual and even interact with unknown person. In case of
children, if they are facing the abusive behaviour they are unable to maintain good behaviour
with the society. As a result, it affects their professional as well as personal relationship.
Moreover, they feel stressed and it leads to long-term depression (Slopen et al., 2018).
Ways to deal with domestic violence
Support from trusted adults
As commented by Katz (2015), the children who are facing domestic violence can receive
support from any trusted adults. If the children are unable to share their problem with anyone
then they have to suffer from mental stress. For this reason, they can talk to any trusted adults
of their family or school and find solution to their problem.
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Professional help
The children should receive professional help in case if they are suffering from domestic
violence. Health professionals can support the children by providing them medication along with
proper emotional and mental support (Landsverk, 2017). They need to observe the behaviour of
those children and then based on the observation result they need to offer the children with
required support and treatment.
Government initiatives
In order to stop domestic violence on children the Government of the countries need to take
initiatives. Government can hire special officials who are required to take check whether the
children are facing domestic violence or not (Howarth et al., 2015). The abused children need to
be provided with required medication and treatment as soon as possible. Moreover, the
Government need to focus on how to resolve the issues like unemployment and poverty so that
the individual do not suffer from financial issues and protect their children from any kind of
domestic violence. In this way, the well-being of children can be maintained by reducing the
chances of domestic violence.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be provided to the abused children so that they can be able to get back their
normal life. Sometimes it is seen that due to domestic violence the children lose their ability to
build relationship with others and trust them. According to Doyle and Aizer (2018),
Psychotherapy can help the abused children to trust others and make effective relationship with
them. Moreover, it can also be helpful for them to leave the bad habits like smoking or in taking
alcohol and drugs. Their behaviour towards the society can be changed through this process
and they would become able to concentrate on building their career. In context of this, child-
parent psychotherapy can be essential for the children to increase their attachment with their
parents. Here, at first the root cause of abusive behaviour of their parents need to be identified
and then effective solution has to be provided to them.
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Conceptual framework
Figure 1: Conceptual framework
(Created by the learner)
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Methodology
It is essential to conduct the study using appropriate methodology for effective achievement of
the research objectives. A proper methodology of the study is developed using Saunders’
Research Onion model that provides the researcher with necessary idea about the stages and
procedures for conducting a research study.
Figure 4: Research onion
(Source: Saunders et al., 2015)
The initial stage of conducting the research would require the performer to identify the
philosophy of the research. The researcher needs to identify the approach and strategy for
conducting a study (Creswell and Poth, 2017). Determining the choices and time horizons of a
study will allow the researcher to develop better data collection techniques in order to achieve
the objectives of the study. Finally, the core function of a research is developed through data
collection and analysis techniques to fulfil the research objectives.
Research philosophy
It is beneficial for the researcher to implement positivism philosophy in performing this
research, as it will allow them to develop an effective understanding of the topic. Analysis of
primary data is effectively performed through positivist philosophy hence it is justified that the
research be performed using the positivism philosophy (Hughes and Sharrock, 2016).
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Research approach
A research approach allows the researcher to develop better data collection and analysis
techniques for achievement of the pre-decided objectives (Ayer et al., 2017). The study would
be performed effectively buys implementing a deductive approach. This ensures that the study
performed, is based on a pre-existing theory.
Research design
A research design allows the researcher to develop the framework of the analysis of collected
data and the type of outcomes generated from it (Bygstad et al., 2016). The study will be
developed based on a descriptive design, which will allow the performer to conduct the study in
order to analyse the existing issues within the UK society.
Data collection and analysis
The data related to the research topic will be collected through primary and secondary data
collection methods. Primary data would be collected using interviews and secondary data would
be gathered using Boolean strategy. Implementation of these tactics in the performance of the
study will provide the researcher with appropriate and relevant data. Primary data would be
analysed using the qualitative analysis method and secondary data would be analysed using
thematic analysis.
Sample size and sampling technique
The primary data would be collected from interviews conducted on two psychologists
associated with The Children’s Society using the probability sampling technique. The
secondary data would be collected using Boolean strategy and four articles would be chosen
based on the inclusion-exclusion sampling technique.
Reliability and validity
The data collection of the research would be performed using appropriate ethical standards.
The maintenance of proper data collection standards and techniques would be followed to
ensure that the analysis of the data is authentic. The researcher would require permissions from
necessary authorities while conducting the study. This will ensure the data collected through the
study is appropriate and relevant to the research objectives. The validity of the data is based on
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