Domestic violence/intrapersonal violence (DV/IPV), inclusive of physical, sexual, emotional,
psy... more Domestic violence/intrapersonal violence (DV/IPV), inclusive of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or economic consequences, negatively affects victims and child witnesses. The impact of DV/IPV on the family system and society is far-reaching. DV/IPV is experienced by 10 million adults and 3.3 million child witnesses in the United States; additionally, 35% of women worldwide fall victim annually. This systematic review was conducted to examine empirical literature on DV/IPV victimization, DV/IPV’s influence on women victims’ mental health, and child witness mental health comorbidities. The primary research question was, how do barriers to mental healthcare access have detrimental effects on victims’ health and how do these barriers continue to contribute to the avoidance of help-seeking behaviors? The analysis guided by PRISMA 2020 revealed three interrelated themes: stigma and mental health access; cultural differences; psychological control, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. Additionally, DV/IPV exposure has long-lasting effects on child witnesses, including a risk for future DV/IPV perpetration. Considering the sociocultural context in which DV/IPV occurs, the costly burden involves a multiplicity of public services that contribute to individual and family financial strain. The problem of DV/IPV is compounded by various political, cultural, legal, and economic factors, requiring a crucial necessity to understand its etiology. Therapists should remain aware of social and legal sanctions that can inform clinical interventions and prevention strategies and treat underlying root causes of the DV/IPV perpetration. Future research is needed to improve behavioral health interventions and develop overall policies to protect affected women and child witnesses.
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psychological, or economic consequences, negatively affects victims and child witnesses. The
impact of DV/IPV on the family system and society is far-reaching. DV/IPV is experienced by
10 million adults and 3.3 million child witnesses in the United States; additionally, 35% of
women worldwide fall victim annually. This systematic review was conducted to examine
empirical literature on DV/IPV victimization, DV/IPV’s influence on women victims’ mental
health, and child witness mental health comorbidities. The primary research question was, how
do barriers to mental healthcare access have detrimental effects on victims’ health and how do
these barriers continue to contribute to the avoidance of help-seeking behaviors? The analysis
guided by PRISMA 2020 revealed three interrelated themes: stigma and mental health access;
cultural differences; psychological control, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. Additionally,
DV/IPV exposure has long-lasting effects on child witnesses, including a risk for future DV/IPV
perpetration. Considering the sociocultural context in which DV/IPV occurs, the costly burden
involves a multiplicity of public services that contribute to individual and family financial strain.
The problem of DV/IPV is compounded by various political, cultural, legal, and economic
factors, requiring a crucial necessity to understand its etiology. Therapists should remain aware
of social and legal sanctions that can inform clinical interventions and prevention strategies and
treat underlying root causes of the DV/IPV perpetration. Future research is needed to improve
behavioral health interventions and develop overall policies to protect affected women and child
witnesses.