Recovery after intimate partner violence: New study reveals what works
Violence in the home can range from intimidation to physical abuse. When it occurs there, we refer to it as domestic violence. Every year, more than 1 million people in the Netherlands age 16 and older experience domestic violence. This type of violence is often perpetrated by a current or former partner, in which case it is referred to as intimate partner violence.
Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, affects a significant number of people in the Netherlands. Every year, more than 1 million individuals aged 16 and above experience this type of abuse, which often comes from a current or former partner. Domestic violence shelters, traditionally referred to as women's shelters, provide refuge to victims, including men and children.
Around 6,000 people seek refuge in these shelters annually, with nearly 3,000 women, around 1,500 children, and approximately 140 men seeking shelter in 2023.
A new study conducted by Willemien van den Dorpel and her colleagues at the Institute of Education and Child Studies aimed to identify effective treatments for parents who end up in domestic violence shelters with their young children after experiencing intimate partner violence. The research team followed 52 families, including mothers and their children aged up to 6, for 13 weeks.
The study aimed to determine what type of treatment works for these parents and children, as there are very few interventions with proven effectiveness for this specific group.
The study revealed that mothers participating in the research experienced PTSD symptoms at above-average rates and displayed relatively high levels of insensitive and disrupted parenting behavior. Insensitive parenting refers to a parent's inability to recognize and respond appropriately to their child's signals, while disrupted parenting involves active behaviors that may be frightening or confusing for a child.
Van den Dorpel found that 80% of the mothers had experienced some form of child abuse during their childhood, which may contribute to their parenting difficulties.
Despite the severity of the problems faced by these parents and children, there is a lack of tried-and-tested treatments targeting this specific group. Several obstacles hinder the provision of effective support, including complex circumstances surrounding the parents' situation, insurance limitations, and legal barriers. However, the study also demonstrated that interventions such as NIKA (Nederlandse Interventie Kortdurend op Atypisch opvoedgedrag) and EMDR therapy can effectively reduce symptoms experienced by both parents and children.
NIKA is a short-term intervention designed to help parents adapt their parenting behavior to better meet their child's needs.
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