Long Lasting Results of Domestic Violence

Those who have studied clinical psychology, tell us there are some things that predict violence. Three signs seem to show that these studies and findings are true. These three things are: very bad behavior problems during teen years; being exposed to violence; and very harsh discipline and punishment by parents.

Subjecting a child to violence will more than likely cause violence in their relationships in adult life, especially romantic relationships. If research is done on violence, there is a great chance that one would find that most of the spousal abuse cases are carried out by adults, who as a child, were subjected to domestic violence themselves.

Parents need to realize that their parenting skills, or lack of them, may be one cause of domestic violence down the road in a child’s life. In some studies carried out, it was found that harsh discipline, alone, may have caused violence. These children learn to communicate with others by using force and resort to violence to resolve their problems, and they learn it from their upbringing.

It is very hard, if not impossible, to change long practiced habits. Psychologists also say that the programs that are available, do not work well. It is very important that any clinical psychology program to prevent these problems, begin at the earliest age possible, no later than 10 years of age. The earlier they are started, the easier it is to be successful.

There seems to be no difference in gender. Men and women are equally likely to demonstrate violent aggression. As many as 20% of both sexes were reported as being violent to their partners, some of this violence causing injuries to them.

These clinical psychology studies began in 1975, when researchers contacted over 500 random children. These children and parents were interviewed by psychologists three different years during this time. They were questioned about hostile behavior in 1999, when the final survey was done. They were also asked about their romantic history, and any recent changes in their lives. This clinical psychology study was published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in August of that same year.

These findings are very important to help parents learn that they must be very careful when bringing up children, so that they can help them become productive members of society. Domestic violence must be controlled, and the only way is to teach children, from early childhood, how to manage emotions and how to get along with others. We, also, as parents, must be able to control ourselves, because children learn what they see. Psychologists may be necessary if parents cannot control their children’s behavior.

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