Research Proposal Template
Research Proposal Template
Research Proposal Template
Study Title:
Principal Investigator:
Introduction
Background to the study
When we talk about the impact of domestic violence on childrens development, we are
considering the effects on children of living in a home where spousal abuse is occurring.
Childhood is regarded as a period of special protection and rights in western culture.
Childrens development is expected to unfold within a secure and nurturing environment.
Where the environment is infected by violence and fear, all the normal tasks of growing up
are likely to be adversely affected. For example, exposure to violence can result in
regressive symptoms such as increased bedwetting, delayed language development and
more anxiety over separation from parents (Osofsky, 1995, cited in Margolin & Gordis,
2000). These symptoms may affect childrens ability to learn to get along with other children
or to concentrate in school.
Domestic violence can have a range of effects from decreased educational performance and
behavioural problems towards teachers and other students, to internalised and self-destructive
behaviour (Johnson et al., 2002; Kitzmann et al., 2003; Laing, 2000; Tomison, 2000)
Laing (2000) states that children and young people who live with domestic violence,
consistently display a range of behavioural and emotional problems when compared to
children who do not live with domestic violence. These include aggression, acting out,
antisocial type behaviour, depression and / or anxiety (Humphreys, 2007; Johnson et al.,
2002; Laing, 2000; Tomison, 2000)
Longer-term implications of exposure to domestic violence can be profound. Children learn
from the behaviours displayed at home, with exposure to domestic violence being a strong
indicator of violence in adolescence and adulthood. Witnessing domestic violence teaches
children that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution and is part of family
relationships (Osofsky, 1995). Furthermore, since perpetrators often avoid punishment or
consequences, children may interpret violence as an acceptable way to control or manipulate
people (Osofsky, 1995). In addition, witnessing domestic violence as a child increases the
likelihood that the child will form adult relationships that are violent. Boys who observe a
male parent / caregiver perpetrating domestic violence have an increased likelihood of
becoming perpetrators themselves in adulthood.
Research Question
parents, a mother and childs experience of family violence was reported as being the most
significant determinant of adolescent violence in the home and towards mothers particularly
(Howard 2011, p. 6). An earlier Clearinghouse paper on the attachment between mothers
and their infants emphasised that domestic violence often leads to insecurity in this key
relationship (Buchanan 2008). A baby may show signs of insecure attachment to her primary
caregiver through displaying withdrawal or little emotion. Alternatively, an infant may seek
comfort but not be easily consoled by her mother or she may be erratic in her attachments.
Literature Review
Children are living in most homes where there is domestic violence. Research on children
who witness family violence is a special case of counting the hard-to-count and measuring
the hard-to measure (Fantuzzo, Boruch, Beriana, Atkins & Marcus, 1997; p.121), so it is
impossible to be definitive about the number of families affected. However, several studies
have found that 85-90% of the time when a violent incident took place in a domestic
situation, children were present and children were also abused during the violent incident in
about 50% of those cases (Queensland Domestic Taskforce, 1998; Cleaver et al, 1999, cited
in Fleischer, 2000).
Research Design
Sampling
Data Analysis
Ethical considerations
APPENDICES
Howard J 2011, Adolescent violence in the home the missing link in family
violence prevention and response, Stakeholder Paper 11, Australian Domestic
and Family Violence Clearinghouse, Sydney
Humphreys, C. (2007). Domestic violence and child protection: Challenging
directions for practice. Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse,
Issues Paper 13, May, The University of New South Wales.
Indermaur D 2001, Young Australians and domestic violence, Trends & Issues in
Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 195, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra
Sety M 2011, The impact of domestic violence on children: a literature review,
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse and Benevolent Society,
NSW, Sydney
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006, Personal safety survey, Australia, 2005,
Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra
Barbeau, E 2009, Best practices for the children who witness abuse program, BC
Yukon Society of Transition Houses, Vancouver, Canada