Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Intervention for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Preliminary Program Evaluation

This study documents the preliminary program evaluation of a 10-session group intervention designed to address the needs of
children exposed to domestic violence. The program was developed to promote five primary outcomes: (a) alleviation of guilt/shame,
(b) improvement of self-esteem, (c) establishment of trust/teamwork skills, (d) enhancement of personal safety and assertiveness
skills, and (e) abuse prevention. A series of pre- and posttest intervention measures provide comparison data. Study findings
indicated an overall decrease in depressive symptomology, symptoms of psychosocial impairment, and certain problematic behaviors
and as a result, supports continuation of the program. Despite a small sample and other limitations, the program offers a
promising framework for intervention with children exposed to domestic violence. Findings both highlight the need for accessible,
appropriate measures and reinforce the need for the intervention planning phase to include careful consideration of clear
intervention goals, evaluation instrumentation, participant selection, and strategies to solicit participation, sustain membership,
and secure posttest data. Implications are relevant to practitioners and researchers in the field.