Citation

Vickerman KA, Margolin G. Prof. Psychol. Res. Pr. 2007; 38(6): 620-628.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0735-7028.38.6.620

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Interventions for youth exposed to family violence recently have incorporated a trauma focus with the objective of reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms along with alleviating other wide-ranging childhood disorders. This article describes generally agreed-upon treatment components for youth exposed to violence in the home (specifically, children who are physically abused or witnesses to interparental violence), including reexposure interventions, education about violence and cognitive restructuring, processing of emotional cues, social problem-solving skills, and parenting interventions. Information is drawn from clinical intervention descriptions, expert consensus, and empirical treatment outcome evaluations. Empirically evaluated treatment programs for different developmental stages (preschool, school-age, and adolescence) are summarized, and remaining questions about how to best focus treatment efforts for youth traumatized by family violence are presented.