
Growing up in a violent family can have long-term health consequences, according to a review published in the Journal of Family Violence. This affects the physical and psychological well-being of millions of people worldwide.
A team from the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security, and Law and the University of Amsterdam showed that violence in the family has repercussions that extend far beyond the immediate harm. The victims most likely affected include children and intimate partners and can face long-term psychiatric and physical health challenges. The authors emphasise the need to address this public health crisis urgently.
Violence in the family is a widespread problem affecting up to a billion individuals globally every year. Child abuse and violence towards partners are especially concerning due to their frequent co-occurrence and hidden nature. Worryingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, creating additional challenges for intervention and prevention.
“This is the first study to explore the long-term relationship between family violence and health on such a large scale,” said Dr Sophia Backhaus. “It’s also the first to provide estimates of clinical significance for the health outcomes we examined.”
The review combined over 150 studies covering more than 3 million participants across various timelines from 1 to 17 years. “Our approach helped to provide a clear, complete picture of the best available evidence, which we believe will serve as a valuable tool for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide,” said Dr. Backhaus.
This analysis identified a strong association between family violence and adverse health outcomes. The authors found that child maltreatment, in particular, was linked with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis later in life. Worryingly, it also increased the likelihood of suicide attempts. In addition, victims of intimate partner violence were more likely to take hard drugs and experience long-term health issues like preterm births and postpartum depression.
In view of these findings, the authors urge governments and organisations to develop new prevention and early intervention strategies. Families need effective measures to improve their lives and alleviate the broader societal costs of these health issues.
Burghart, M., Backhaus, S. The Long-Term Consequences of Family Violence Victimization: An Umbrella Review of Longitudinal Meta-Analyses on Child Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence. J Fam Viol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00768-y