PARENTING IN FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Domestic violence (DV) significantly disrupts family systems, undermines parenting quality, and places children at heightened risk for adverse psychological outcomes. This systematic review critically synthesizes 112 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 that explore the intersection of DV, parenting, and child psychological well-being. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using six electronic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. Boolean search terms included “domestic violence,” “intimate partner violence,” “parenting,” “child outcomes,” “psychological adjustment,” and “resilience.” Inclusion criteria required empirical, peer-reviewed studies addressing parenting in DV-affected households and associated psychological outcomes in children. The PRISMA framework guided article selection and quality appraisal. Most studies employed cross-sectional designs and caregiver self-reports, limiting causal interpretation and increasing response bias. Despite methodological differences, findings consistently revealed elevated rates of emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, externalizing behavior, attachment disturbances, and cognitive impairments among children exposed to DV. Some studies identified moderating variables such as parental warmth, extended kinship support, and child temperament that buffered negative outcomes. However, inconsistency in the operationalization of DV and parenting constructs, and underrepresentation of culturally diverse populations, limit generalizability. The review highlights a pressing need for longitudinal, multi-informant, and mixed-methods research using standardized tools, especially in socio-culturally distinct contexts like Pakistan. Overall, this review identifies key methodological challenges, outlines consistent psychological risks for children, and calls for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed research and intervention strategies to address parenting and child well-being in DV-affected families.