This chapter explores intimate partner violence (IPV) within households with children from a comprehensive and health-based perspective. It provides empirical evidence of the impacts of IPV on children’s physical and mental well-being, as well as the protective factors that promote optimal development among IPV-exposed children. The chapter outlines screening and assessment practices, pointing to their potential to reduce the incidence of violence within families. Early intervention strategies, such as home visitation programs and parent-child interaction therapy, play instrumental roles in mitigating the negative effects of IPV on children. Furthermore, the broader implications of IPV exposure as one of the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) underscore the imperative for professionals in health care, social work, and education to collaborate on identification, intervention, and support. This synthesis of research findings and practical strategies is intended to guide practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in navigating the complex landscape of IPV prevention and promoting child well-being.

The purpose of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers for engaging youth and families from a historically and systematically marginalized community in high-tech research. Adapting community-based participatory research principles, 4 focus groups were conducted with 13 youth and 12 parents. Using codebook thematic analysis, 5 facilitator themes (develop skills, ensure health, build understanding, promote safety, and help others, youth-initiated interest) and 4 barrier themes (anxiety and fear, skepticism, confusion, and unfamiliar/unknown experience) were identified. Youth and parent responses informed proposed guidelines for recruiting and engaging families in research using high-tech methods, particularly those from historically and systematically marginalized communities.

Child maltreatment is a well-established risk factor for self-harm, yet the affective processes underlying this association remain unclear. This study examines how empathy relates to the association between early childhood maltreatment and lifetime self-harm thoughts. Data from 303 adults were stratified based on the presence or absence of maltreatment history in early childhood. Self-reports of lifetime self-harm thoughts in adulthood and empathy during adolescence were examined in both groups using generalized additive models to assess non-linear relationships. Adults with early childhood maltreatment history were more likely to report self-harm thoughts than those without the history (χ2 = 14.87, p < .01). A significant nonlinear association was observed between empathy and self-harm thoughts (effective degrees of freedom (edf) = 2.14, χ2 = 9.67, p = .02), such that predicted probabilities of self-harm thoughts were lowest at moderate levels of empathy for both groups. Risk for self-harm thoughts was highest among individuals with early childhood maltreatment history and low or high empathy. While a moderate level of empathy can be protective from early childhood maltreatment, both low and high levels of empathy appear to increase the risk for self-harm thoughts. Findings suggest the need to further investigate the role of empathy as a "risky strength" among adults, particularly among those with histories of childhood maltreatment.

Adolescence and young adulthood are particularly vulnerable times for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). For some survivors, legal remedies, including civil protection orders (CPOs), can prevent further violence. However, little is known about legal help-seeking and CPO use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This study sought to examine barriers to and facilitators of seeking legal help, particularly CPOs, among AYAs who experienced IPV. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 AYAs in King County, Washington aged 14 to 24 years who experienced some form of IPV. Interview topics included disclosure of IPV, IPV help-seeking, desired outcomes, knowledge of CPOs, and attitudes toward and decision-making processes around engaging with the legal system. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in Dedoose software. Guided by phenomenology, we used thematic analysis and organized themes by levels of the socioecological model. Barriers to seeking legal help for IPV included concerns about privacy/confidentiality, perceptions that abuse was not severe enough to warrant a CPO, fear of contact with abusive partners, lack of trust in the legal system, logistical challenges (e.g., time, money), and cultural stigma. Facilitators included the need for physical safety, having a third party to enforce rules, and potential consequences for abusive partners. Participants provided practical recommendations to facilitate increased access to legal services/CPOs, such as improved parental permission/notification policies and improved and increased access to resources in schools. Findings highlight barriers and facilitators at multiple levels that influence perceptions and use of legal services among AYAs. While legal remedies, including CPOs, may not be desirable or appropriate for all youth experiencing IPV, survivors should have full information and agency to choose from several appropriate options. Our findings underscore the need for additional education and reduced barriers to accessing legal services for AYAs experiencing IPV.

Athletic settings may influence both risk and protective factors for sexual violence (SV) and provide opportunities to advance prevention and response. The goal of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of higher education personnel involved in SV prevention and response with college student-athletes. We conducted semistructured interviews with participants at four public universities with National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletic programs. Using inductive thematic analysis, we distilled key themes: athletic culture and how it interacts with prevention and response; athletic department strengths; and challenges. Athletic departments and institutions should educate and train athletic personnel to facilitate effective prevention and response.

Past research has emphasized the impact of prior trauma on adult depression and anxiety rates. However, few studies have examined the simultaneous connection between various trauma characteristics (e.g., type, variety, repetition, timing) and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults. Understanding how these different trauma characteristics relate to mental health issues can offer valuable insight into predicting the onset of such problems. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis with 356 adult participants to explore the associations between lifetime trauma history and depression/anxiety scores. Participants retrospectively reported on five different traumatic experiences from birth to the present, including childhood physical abuse, witnessing parental violence, lifetime experiences of rape, witnessing trauma to loved ones, and the unexpected death of loved ones. For each trauma type, participants indicated the timing of their first exposure and the frequency of subsequent occurrences. Depression and anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks were also self-reported. Multiple regression analyses with covariates were employed. On average, participants experienced two out of the five trauma types. Regardless of the type, having at least one traumatic experience was linked to higher depression and anxiety scores. Those who experienced all five trauma types reported the highest levels of depression and anxiety. Repeated instances of rape, witnessing trauma to loved ones, and the death of loved ones were significantly associated with elevated depression and anxiety scores. The timing of exposure to the unexpected death of loved ones predicted higher depression scores in childhood compared to adulthood, while no relationship between timing and anxiety scores was observed. Other trauma types did not show significant associations. Our study enhances knowledge of the link between trauma and depression/anxiety by elucidating how various trauma characteristics, such as type, variety, repetition, and timing of trauma, have differential influences on depression and anxiety scores.

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) places children at risk for negative developmental outcomes. However, many IPV-exposed (eIPV) children exhibit resilience, which is promoted by protective factors including positive, caring relationships. Sibling relationships can buffer eIPV children from poor adjustment outcomes but have scarcely been studied. This study explored how eIPV children in middle childhood understood and made meaning of their sibling relationships. Six eIPV sibling dyads were recruited for individual interviews and participation in a video-recorded play session. A descriptive phenomenological analysis was conducted using both forms of data. Five main themes of eIPV sibling relationships emerged and were presented through textual and structural descriptions. Implications for practice and policy and areas for future research are discussed.

This paper used an evidence and gap map (EGM) to advance the scientific understanding of sibling relationship quality among children aged 2 to 18 years by synthesizing literature on 277 empirical studies from 1985 to 2022 to delineate patterns of study design, sampling, and measurement. Most existing research has utilized majority of White, middle-to-upper class, and/or two-caregiver family samples. Nearly 85% (n = 235) of studies used quantitative methods to measure sibling relationship quality across eight domains: conflict, warmth/affection, quality, cohesion, hostility, power/control, positive engagement, and conflict management. A total of 122 studies used a measure of sibling relationship quality as a predictor of sibling behavior, social, psychological, cognitive, health, or physiological outcomes. Future directions for research are discussed.

ABSTRACTBackground: Sexual violence (SV) is a persistent issue on US college campuses, particularly among college student-athletes. Strategies to address SV are urgently needed. Yet, prior research shows that many university practices can be more harmful than helpful to SV survivors and necessitates a reimagination of how institutions support SV survivors. Survivor-centred approaches may be one way to effectively address SV for students, including student-athletes, across college campuses.Objective: This qualitative study explored campus personnel experiences with and perceptions of survivor-centred SV prevention and intervention policies and practices on college campuses and examined how these approaches serve SV survivors, including college student-athletes.Methods: As part of a larger study on campus SV and student-athletes across four institutions, semi-structured interviews with 22 representatives from athletic departments, campus advocacy, and Title IX were conducted. Guided by phenomenology, a thematic analysis approach was used to identify key patterns in survivor-centred SV prevention and intervention policies and practices. Participant demographic data were analysed descriptively.Results: Most participants identified as white (72.2%), heterosexual (63.6%), women (68.2%), and were an average of 41.8 years old (SD = 10.2). The majority were in positions associated with athletic departments (63.6%), and they had been in their role for an average of 5.6 years (SD = 6.6). Through thematic analysis, three main themes were identified: (1) education & accessibility; (2) interpersonal relationships & individual well-being; and (3) campus and societal norms.Conclusions: The findings from this study highlight clear policy and practice recommendations for survivor-centred SV prevention and intervention on college campuses, such as accessible, applicable SV training and the implementation of survivor-centred approaches. Further research is needed to understand existing survivor-centred practices and the facilitators and barriers to their implementation across institutions and within athletic departments.

This retrospective cohort study examined prosocial skills development in child welfare-involved children, how intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure explained heterogeneity in children's trajectories of prosocial skill development, and the degree to which protective factors across children's ecologies promoted prosocial skill development. Data were from 1,678 children from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being I, collected between 1999 and 2007. Cohort-sequential growth mixture models were estimated to identify patterns of prosocial skill development between the ages of 3 to 10 years. Four diverse pathways were identified, including two groups that started high (high subtle-decreasing; high decreasing-to-increasing) and two groups that started low (low stable; low increasing-to-decreasing). Children with prior history of child welfare involvement, preschool-age IPV exposure, school-age IPV exposure, or family income below the federal poverty level had higher odds of being in the high decreasing-to-increasing group compared with the high subtle-decreasing group. Children with a mother with greater than high school education or higher maternal responsiveness had higher odds of being in the low increasing-to-decreasing group compared with the low stable group. The importance of maternal responsiveness in fostering prosocial skill development underlines the need for further assessment and intervention. Recommendations for clinical assessment and parenting programs are provided.

Importance Most unwanted sexual contact victimization (USCV) research utilizes predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual college student samples. Estimates of USCV prevalence and demographic variation can determine the need for dedicated funding and culturally relevant campus services for students in high-risk groups. Objective To estimate the national prevalence and demographic variation in self-reported USCV within the first three months of college. Design Data are from the Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergrads (SAPU) (2020–2021) dataset. SAPU is an online intervention program administered to students on more than 600 college campuses in the United States ( N = 250,359). Group differences were assessed by race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual identity, and then stratified by gender to assess within-gender group differences. Setting The SAPU dataset includes public and private institutions and 2-year and 4-year colleges with varying sizes of enrollment. Participants The sample is demographically diverse, and consists of newly matriculated U.S. college students, most of whom complete the SAPU program within the first three months of enrollment. Main outcomes and measures The primary outcome measure is self-reported USCV within the first three months of college enrollment, analyzed for subgroup differences. We hypothesized that USCV would be higher among students from racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual minority populations. Results Nearly 8% of transgender men reported USCV, followed by 7.4% of transgender women, 7.4% of genderqueer/gender non-conforming students, 4.5% of women, and 1.5% of men. Several subgroups reported exceedingly high rates of USCV, including Black students who identified as transgender women (35.7%) and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students who identified as trans men (55.6%) or genderqueer/gender non-conforming (41.7%). Conclusions and relevance Universal and targeted (selective and indicated) intervention programs are needed to lessen USCV, particularly among gender minority students who also identify as Black, Indigenous, other person of color, or as a sexual minority.

Purpose: Treatment adherence is a central component of implementation fidelity and key to our understanding of client outcomes. This study examines treatment adherence in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and four functional outcomes among a sample of adopted youth: sensory integration, self-regulation, and relational and cognitive functioning. Methods: The sample includes 178 youth receiving supportive services from a U.S. adoption service provider. Regression analysis was used to examine clinician adherence to NMT recommendations and child outcomes. Results: Most (61.24%) of the essential or therapeutic treatment recommendations were carried out with majority adherence. A key finding is the predictive relationship between adherence to treatment recommendations and improvement in child outcomes at T2, controlling for all other variables in the model. Conclusions: Findings illustrate the importance of treatment adherence in promoting positive outcomes for children engaged in NMT. Implications are discussed regarding clinician training and reducing barriers to treatment adherence.

Purpose: Sexual and relationship violence has devasting effects on the health and well-being of college students. This study assessed the prevalence of dating abuse victimization and harassment among sexual and gender minority (SGM) college students within the first 3 months of college enrollment and identified potential demographic differences in exposure.Methods: Data are from the 2020 to 2021 Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates digital sexual assault prevention program (N = 250,359). Descriptive statistics were used to determine 3-month prevalence of dating abuse victimization and harassment among gender identity and sexual orientation subgroups and to examine within-group differences based on race and ethnicity.Results: Dating abuse victimization during college was reported by 6.5% of transgender women, 5.0% of transgender men, 5.0% of genderqueer/nonconforming students, 2.0% of "women," and 1.0% of "men." Harassment during college was reported by 13.7% of genderqueer/nonconforming students, 11.2% of transgender women, 8.9% of transgender men, 8.7% of "women," and 1.6% of "men." Students who identified with more than one sexual orientation identity reported the highest rates of dating abuse (3.9%) and harassment (14.9%) during college. SGM students with particular racial/ethnic identities (i.e., Indigenous, multiracial) reported disproportionately higher rates, particularly American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students who identified as transgender men (42.9%), transgender women (41.7%), genderqueer/nonconforming students (26.1%), queer/pansexual/questioning students (20%), and students with multiple sexual orientation identities (36.4%).Conclusion: Targeted intervention strategies and resources are needed on college campuses to support the needs and experiences of SGM students, including students who identify as Indigenous, multiracial, and other persons of color.

This qualitative study examines "Trauma & the Brain"-a case-based training series for graduate-level social work students focused on the neurodevelopmental impact of childhood trauma. Four focus groups were conducted with 17 participants from the Trauma & the Brain training series. Reflexive thematic analysis identified six themes regarding students' application of training series content to their field work: nurturing a learning community, bridging content and curriculum gaps, understanding "the why," taking the toolbox into the field, confident communicators, and field challenges. Implications for social work education are discussed, including the necessity of preparing students for fluent communication about complex trauma in multidisciplinary settings, and building learning communities that connect students across cohorts and micro- and macro-practice tracks.

Rates of overweight and obesity are problematic among systematically marginalized youth; however, these youth and their families are a hard-to-reach research population. The purpose of our study was to identify facilitators and barriers for recruiting systematically marginalized families in youth weight-management intervention research. This study built upon existing evidence through involvement of youth, parents, community agency workers, and school nurses, and an exploration of both recruitment materials and processes. Seven focus groups were conducted with 48 participants from 4 stakeholder groups (youth, parents, school nurses, and community agency workers). A codebook approach to thematic analysis was used to identify key facilitator and barrier themes related to recruitment materials and processes across the stakeholder groups. Ecological systems theory was applied to contextualize the facilitators and barriers identified. Participants reported the need to actively recruit youth in the study through engaging, fun recruitment materials and processes. Participants reported greater interest in recruitment at community-based events, as compared to recruitment through health care providers, underscoring the depth of distrust that this sample group has for the health care system. Recommendations for recruitment materials and processes for weight-management intervention research with systematically marginalized families are proposed.

Victim service agencies felt widespread impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on their staff, organizational practices, and client populations. This study offers a qualitative exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across a broad spectrum of victim service settings, including court-based, mental health, medical, child welfare, interpersonal violence, and advocacy agencies. An electronic survey was completed by Ohio agency workers (N = 170) serving child and young adult victims of trauma. Codebook thematic analysis was used to identify agency and staff experiences, client needs, and changes to service delivery during the pandemic. Results revealed victim impacts in six categories: increases in mental/behavioral health needs, challenges resulting from school closures, safety concerns for victims of interpersonal violence, higher levels of crisis needs, isolation/stress, and service access issues. Agency-level impacts focused on the transition to virtual services, challenges with staffing and resources, worker burnout/stress, and resilience and flexibility. Implications are discussed for organizational staffing and trauma-informed training needs, burnout prevention and mitigation, and client service gaps. Future research should continue exploration of system- and organizational-level adaptation in response to the pandemic, as well as the long-term implementation of trauma-informed organizational practices as a strategy to enhance victim service worker satisfaction and retention.

Among children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), their appraisals and beliefs about IPV have been identified as key cognitive factors that may explain the linkage between IPV exposure and other adjustment outcomes. Grounded in the cognitive-contextual framework, this systematic review summarizes empirical studies examining child IPV exposure, acceptance of IPV, and appraisals of IPV, including perceived threat, self-blame attributions, and coping efficacy. This study is part of a broader evidence and gap map (EGM) that systematically searched seven databases for quantitative studies examining the effects of IPV exposure on all potential child outcomes. Studies were screened and coded for inclusion if they focused on IPV-exposed children 17 years and younger, used a validated or reliable scale to measure child outcomes, and utilized a comparison group. This review examined a subset of 13 studies measuring children's acceptance and/or appraisals of IPV. Findings suggest that children exposed to IPV tend to have stronger beliefs that the use of violence in intimate relationships is acceptable, with important implications for adolescent dating violence. Additionally, children's appraisals of threat and self-blame regarding their parents' IPV acted as a key variable for understanding links between children's IPV exposure and outcomes such as internalizing problems, social anxiety, and self-efficacy. Few studies examined coping efficacy. This review highlights the importance of children's acceptance and appraisals of IPV as an outcome of IPV exposure, and as an intervening factor between IPV exposure and other adjustment outcomes. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.