Understanding What Children Say : Children's Experiences of Domestic Violence, Parental Substance Misuse and Parental Health Problems

Description

We have a limited understanding of children's experiences of domestic violence, parental substance misuse and parental health problems. The complex dynamics that can surround families dealing with these issues may make it difficult for parents and professionals to understand how children feel. As a result, children's needs are often overlooked and they do not receive the support they need.This literature review examines what children say about living in families where there is domestic violence, parental substance misuse or parental health problems. It examines research undertaken in the UK from 1990 to 2003, to provide us with a better understanding of the range of children's experience. Understanding what children say descnbes the key themes In children's experiences, how children feel about the difficulties they experience at home, what their coping strategies are, and the support they would like to receive. It takes a broad view of children's experiences because children themselves are unlikely to see their own lives in terms of one discreteproblem at home. For most, their situation will be complex and their experiences of domestic violence, parental substance misuse or parental ill health will be part of a larger picture of disadvantage or stress in the family.