Children’s Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence: Causes, Consequences, and Coping

Children’s appraisals of conflictual and aggressive parental interactions mediate their effect on children’s adjustment. Previous
studies have relied almost exclusively on self-report questionnaires to assess appraisals; consequently we know little about
perceptions that occur naturally when children witness interparental aggression. This study employed a semi-structured interview
to assess the thoughts and feelings of 34 children (ages 7–12) whose mothers were receiving services at domestic violence
agencies, and mothers reported on interparental aggression that took place in the home. Children’s thoughts centered on consequences
and efforts to understand why fights occurred. They generally viewed their mother’s partner as responsible for violence, though
a significant number viewed both parents as playing a role. Sadness and anger were more common than anxiety, and children
often attempted to stop or withdraw from fights or both. When asked why family violence occurs, most focused on perpetrators’
lack of control of anger or personal characteristics, but approximately one-third viewed victims as provoking aggression.
These findings support the idea that children actively attempt to understand the causes and consequences of interparental
violence and suggest that their perceptions and interpretations are important for understanding the development of beliefs
regarding the use of violence in close relationships.