Trauma,Violence,& Abuse

Migrant and refugee children are at risk of experiencing various forms of violence before, during, or after migration. This study systematically identifies, reviews, and synthesizes evidence on protective and promotive factors that contribute to the resilience of migrant and refugee children facing violence. Of the 3,663 articles identified through search in five electronic databases and snowball technique, 31 quantitative or qualitative research studies met the inclusion criteria. To be included in the review, studies had to (1) have been published after 2013; (2) have been published in English; (3) include migrant or refugee children and/or adolescents aged 18 or below at the time of interview or migration; (4) mention some types of maltreatment, peer violence, or community violence faced by the children or adolescents; (5) examine the association between the hypothesized protective or promotive factors and indicators of adaptive functioning; and (6) include outcome measures that assessed adaptive functioning such as well-being or absence or low-levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. Quality assessment did not lead to the exclusion of any studies. Five levels of protective and promotive factors were identified: individual, family, school and peers, community, and spatial dimension, which converged to highlight the importance of regulatory, interpersonal, and meaning-making strengths for these children. Understanding and addressing these protective and promotive factors is crucial for promoting well-being and improving mental health outcomes in migrant and refugee children facing violence. The findings of this review have significant implications for designing intervention programs and public policies that support these children effectively.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread in many African countries. Evidence, mainly from Western countries, shows that exposure to IPV in childhood is an important risk factor for experiences of IPV in adulthood. However, to date, no systematic review has synthesized the evidence on this association for individuals living in Africa, which is the goal of the current study. We used three search strategies: database searches (e.g., MEDLINE and PsycINFO), manual searches, and machine learning tools (e.g., Connected Papers). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and included peer-reviewed studies (in French or English) that reported quantitative or qualitative associations between childhood exposure to IPV and later IPV victimization/perpetration. A total of 48 studies from 29 African countries were included (N = 520,000 participants). Pooled effects indicated an association between childhood exposure to IPV and IPV victimization for females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% CI [2.09, 2.91], p < .001) and males (OR = 1.76, 95% CI [1.57, 1.97], p < .001). Similarly, males (OR = 1.92, 95% CI [1.60, 2.29], p < .001) and females (OR = 3.04, 95% CI [2.51, 3.69], p < .001) who were exposed to IPV in childhood were more likely to perpetrate IPV compared to those with no childhood exposure. Effect sizes varied substantially across studies (0.89–5.66), suggesting that other risk factors should be considered in future studies. This review provides unique insights on cycles of IPV in Africa that may usefully inform practice and research.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has gained significant traction in social work over the last decade, becoming a key organizing principle despite a dearth of empirical evidence attesting to its effectiveness. Addressing this paradox, our scoping review examines TIC’s conceptualization and application in the field, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and empirical support. We analyzed 131 peer-reviewed articles from 2012 to 2022, following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, with inclusion criteria focused on English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles on TIC within U.S. social work. The identification of articles involved a systematic search across three online databases—Social Service Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index, and Social Work Abstracts—using the search terms “trauma informed*” and “social work” to capture relevant articles through keywords, subject headings, and titles. Our analysis revealed a broad understanding of trauma and a tendency toward emphasizing individual-level experiences, with infrequent acknowledgment of institutional or structural trauma. While TIC is applied across diverse domains, particularly in education and child welfare, its practical application lacks clarity and specificity. Critically, we found a reliance on the perceived prevalence of trauma rather than robust research to justify TIC’s adoption. The inconsistent use of theory, primarily at the micro-level, and the wide range of practices resembling established social work methods raise questions about TIC’s distinctiveness and unique contribution. Considering these findings, we urge a critical reassessment of TIC, focusing on its implications for practice and research.

The aim of the present review was to systematically identify and examine current knowledge regarding the frequency of any form of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) perpetrated against women aged 16 years and older. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was applied when performing the present review. Observational studies reporting prevalence data for any form of TFSV against women aged 16 years and above were considered for inclusion. Four meta-analyses were conducted. One examined data pertaining to overall TFSV, while the other three each addressed a key dimension based on the type of victimization under study. Random-effects models were used to compute pooled estimate prevalences (95% CI). Included studies reported prevalence in 32 different countries at different time points, with 28,220 women being interviewed (16–97 years). A total of 1,437 potential articles were gathered from 8 databases and 17 studies were selected for analysis. Included studies exhibited a low risk of bias (12 strong methodological quality—5 medium). Rates of TFSV ranged from 2.2% to 84%. Global estimated prevalence was 30.60% (95% CI [24.08, 37.12]). The most frequently reported behaviors pertained to “digital sexual harassment” (28.54%) followed by “technology-facilitated aggression and coercion” (16.93%) and “image-based sexual abuse” (6.48%). Present findings shed light on a significant gap in understanding the experiences of adult women. The wide range of reported frequencies underscores the importance of unifying terms and standardizing measurement instruments, emphasizing the need for a cohesive approach to better comprehend and address the multifaceted nature of TFSV.

South Korea implemented specific legislation titled the Act on Punishment of Crimes of Stalking (APCS) on October 21, 2021, to address the issue of stalking. This study evaluated the risks associated with stalking incidents in South Korea by reviewing and analyzing legal cases with finalized judgments within the first year of the APCS. Data were collected through a systematic search of the Korean Supreme Court’s Written Judgment Management System database. We identified 193 stalking-related cases between October 21, 2021, and October 14, 2022. These cases were analyzed based on four risk profile criteria: profiles of stalkers and victims, the nature of stalker–victim relationships, motivations behind stalking, and patterns of stalking behavior. Further, we reviewed cases to which the APCS and the Criminal Act applied by analyzing stalker–victim relationships and the stalkers’ underlying motivations to assess the risks associated with stalking. Approximately 16.6% of stalkers were diagnosed with mental disorders, the most common disorder being psychosis. The average age of the victims was 42.84 years, with a higher prevalence of female victims compared to male ones. Predominantly, stalkers were former intimate partners of the victims, with most cases motivated by rejection. Direct contact methods, such as physical approaches, have been observed more frequently than indirect methods, such as repeated unwanted messages, or non-contact behaviors, including surveillance and loitering. The findings provide an up-to-date overview of the under-examined criminal stalking issue in South Korea.

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a form of interpersonal violence perpetrated by intimate partners or family members. It includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behaviors. DVA is associated with severe physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences for the victims. Muslim women, like women from all communities, experience DVA in its various forms, however, they may experience additional barriers when seeking support. This review was conducted using a meta-ethnography approach to synthesize published qualitative evidence on Muslim women’s perspectives and experiences of DVA. A systematic search of global evidence in six electronic English databases including Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ASSIA identified a total of 33 qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of these studies revealed four major themes: the experience and impacts of abuse; risk factors contributing to abuse; help-seeking; and the coping strategies of Muslim women. These findings emphasize the importance of religion not only as a risk factor for violence and a barrier to help-seeking but also as a coping strategy for dealing with violence. The findings offer important insights for policymaking and in supporting these women more effectively.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are strongly associated with impaired cognitive control, yet research on ACEs’ effects across cognitive control domains—working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control—remains sparse. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the overall impact of ACEs on each of these cognitive control domains and explored moderating factors such as age, gender, cognitive control paradigms, and ACEs subtypes based on the dimensional model of adversity and psychopathology. A database search was conducted in SCOPUS, MedLine, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Only prospective studies were included to ensure temporal order inferences, with at least two data collection points, assessing ACEs at baseline (T1) and cognitive control during follow-up (T2). Thirty-two studies (N = 26,863) producing 124 effect sizes were analyzed. Three-level meta-analyses revealed small-to-medium negative associations between ACEs and overall cognitive control (g = −0.32), and in each domain: working memory (g = −0.28), cognitive flexibility (g = −0.28), and inhibitory control (g = −0.32). The negative associations between ACEs and cognitive control were consistent across age, gender, and cognitive control paradigms. ACEs subtypes moderated the association with cognitive flexibility (p = .04) but not working memory or inhibitory control. Specifically, the deprivation subtype exhibited a stronger negative association with cognitive flexibility compared to threat and threat-and-deprivation subtypes. These findings highlight the pervasive negative impact of ACEs on cognitive control across ages and emphasize the need for targeted interventions. Implications, current gaps, limitations in research, and future study recommendations are discussed.

Image-based sexual harassment and abuse (IBSHA) has recently gained scientific attention. To date, research has primarily focused on victim characteristics and impact, while little specific empirical research exists on victims’ help-seeking behavior, including barriers and facilitators to seeking support. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the current state of literature on IBSHA victims’ help-seeking behavior and barriers and facilitators to seeking support. Seven electronic bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2023 to identify relevant literature. Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) English or Dutch language, (2) original empirical data, (3) studying one or more forms of IBSHA, (4) victim sample, and (5) addressing help-seeking behavior, and/or factors encouraging or discouraging help-seeking. The scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews. In total, 81 articles were included. Varying definitions of IBSHA, sample sizes, and populations complicated the drawing of general conclusions. The research was primarily conducted in English-speaking Western countries with a majority of young, White, heterosexual, and women samples. Prevalence rates of help-seeking strongly varied. Multiple sources of informal and formal support were identified, including friends, family, social media platforms, and police. Informal support appeared preferred. Articles identified several barriers to help-seeking including shame, (fear of) negative social responses and negative expectations of formal support, and facilitators, including desire for justice and takedown of non-consensually shared images. Research on IBSHA is growing rapidly. The field would benefit from further research focused on help-seeking with diverse samples, standardized measures, and intersectionality. Recommendations for policy and practice are provided.

Gender-based violence (GBV) in the academic job sector is a critical issue that intersects with broader systemic and structural inequities, but research is limited. To study the prevalence, effects, and prevention measures of interpersonal GBV within the academic job sector, a meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol. Rigorous searches were conducted across the databases PubMed, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, using specific keywords related to GBV, workplace, and virtual work environments, identifying papers published between January 2013 and February 2023. Studies were evaluated based on the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes framework. Data from papers were extracted and grouped by reported instances, and prevalence data for interpersonal GBV were reported in university settings, including in-person, hybrid, and virtual environments, and among men, women, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. A random effects meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to evaluate the reported point prevalence rates of interpersonal GBV in academia between 2012 and 2015. Subgroup analyses were performed for university staff only, females only, and males only. Out of the 1,290 records, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The types of violence identified include sexual harassment, workplace bullying and online harassment, which affects career advancement, and employee well-being. The meta-analyses, conducted with a 95% confidence interval [CI], identified that 51.4% (95% CI [39.9%, 63.0%]) of university staff members experience GBV, with females, 59.3% [38.1%, 80.5%], experiencing greater rates than males, 44% [28.1%, 44.1%]. The findings underscore the need for institutional interventions to address interpersonal GBV in academic workplaces.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a complex social problem affecting many women globally. In Zimbabwe, intimate partner violence (IPV) and child marriages remain persistent public health problems with detrimental effects on the health and well-being of women and girls. Statistics show that Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of IPV and child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. Given this background, this paper systematically reviewed published research on VAWG in Zimbabwe from 2012 to 2022 to identify research gaps. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, we systematically searched for literature across five electronic databases: Web of Science, Medline, Psych-Info via EBSCO-Host, and Google Scholar. Our initial search yielded 261 articles, of which only 45 met our inclusion criteria. We summarized these studies using thematic analysis and performed a quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The findings revealed several gaps, including a limited focus on relational and perpetrator perspectives, insufficient attention to other forms of VAWG such as non-partner sexual violence, rape, and trafficking, and a lack of studies on marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, sex workers, and same-sex couples. In addition, there were no longitudinal studies examining trends and dynamics of VAWG over extended periods or comparing different geographical regions. Few studies also focused on the evaluation of interventions. Although significant progress has been made in addressing VAWG, this review underscores the need for more research to fill these gaps for effective and evidence-based policymaking and response strategies.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a traumatic experience that is universally present across the globe. Undeniably, there are expected adverse outcomes. However, it is also conceivable that IPV survivors might see, feel, and experience a hopeful, positive future after their IPV experience. Notably experienced by IPV survivors is post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is a type of positive psychological change that occurs following the struggle with a traumatic experience. The changes are then reflected across five domains. As more studies on PTG among IPV survivors continue to rise, there must be a better understanding of the process. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, this systematic review consolidated findings from existing literature guided by the research questions: (a) What areas of PTG do IPV survivors most experience positive psychological growth? (b) What factors are associated with PTG among IPV survivors? A total of 22 studies met the criteria and were included. Spiritual growth and new possibilities domains were experienced the most by adult IPV survivors. Contributing and inhibiting factors toward PTG were identified and categorized as interpersonal, contextual, or intrapersonal. Targeted interventions aiding the process toward PTG for IPV survivors were also identified, including commonly maladaptive coping strategies. This systematic review contributes to the literature by increasing knowledge that can be used for more effective support, interventions, and policies that promote PTG for adult IPV survivors.

This scoping review investigates the influence of Adult Sexual Assault (ASA) on romantic functioning through an analysis of 16 studies. Four databases were searched (Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Taylor & Francis Online, and ProQuest) in June 2023 for relevant published and grey literature. Emphasis was placed on conducting analyses solely among individuals who had experienced ASA, defined in this context as non-consensual sexual contact occurring at or after the age of 18 years. The review highlighted several factors explored in existing literature, encompassing relationship satisfaction, sexual functioning, partner effects, risk assessment, and protective factors. Results yielded mixed findings on the effects of ASA on relationships and sexual functioning. Insights from the partners of individuals who have experienced ASA illuminate emotional repercussions and communication disruptions, highlighting the intricate relationship dynamics affected by ASA within romantic relationships. Moreover, the review identifies protective factors, such as enhanced relationship communication and partner support, potentially mitigating adverse romantic outcomes. The review also revealed shortcomings in the existing literature, including sparse research on ASA, limited demographic representation, and inadequate control between adult and child sexual assault. These insights inform evidence-based interventions, policy development, and future research directions, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to address ASA’s multifaceted impact on survivors’ romantic well-being.

Violence against children affects children in every region, nation, and community in the world. Despite a significant body of literature about the victims of such violence, there has been little empirical research, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on perpetrators, their relationship to victims, and interventions that might alter their behavior. This scoping review sought to identify and summarize the scholarly literature on perpetrators of violence against children in Sub-Saharan Africa and their relationship with victims. Using a keyword search of academic databases, we included peer-reviewed studies published from January 2013 to June 2023 that focused on physical, sexual, or emotional violence against children in Sub-Saharan Africa and included prevalence data about victim–perpetrator relationships. Eighteen of the 42 studies that met eligibility criteria shared one or more primary data sources with other studies included in this review, most frequently using data from Violence Against Children Surveys (10), the Uganda Good Schools Project (7), and the National Child Homicide Study (3). The most common classifications of perpetrators, in order of frequency, were caregivers/family members, intimate partners, peers, teachers/school staff and strangers, and the most common settings in which research took place were schools. Wide variability in the taxonomies used to define and report frequencies for age, victim, perpetrator, and type of violence obscures our ability to form a complete picture of victim–perpetrator relationships. Research emphasis on victims of violence may lead to missed opportunities to disrupt the perpetration of violence against children through interventions that specifically target its source.

Child maltreatment is a major public and global health issue with well-documented intergenerational patterns. Social-emotional development, which is detrimentally impacted by child maltreatment, has been associated with parenting behaviors and implicated as a mechanism of intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment. This scoping review sought to synthesize information on the social-emotional skills that contribute to or protect against intergenerational maltreatment. Following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis systematic scoping review methodology, 23 studies were identified as having met all inclusion criteria. Eligible studies were empirical, primary, peer-reviewed and published work written in English. Included studies contained a parental history of maltreatment, maltreatment or risk thereof to the child, and at least one independent parental social-emotional factor. Studies were organized, and findings were conceptually mapped according to Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) social-emotional competency domains. Key findings included determining self-management as the most well-studied CASEL competency area, whereas there was a paucity of research on relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Studies focused almost exclusively on assessing risk. The most well-documented risk factors for intergenerational maltreatment included parental emotion dysregulation, low self-control, aggression, and dissociation. Measurement and consideration of the developmental timing of maltreatment was identified as a critical oversight in the literature. Future work should explore developmentally specific models and elucidate more comprehensive profiles of social-emotional risk and resilience as a means of developing more effective prevention strategies.

This article systematically reviewed research findings of five sexual assault case outcomes (founding, arrest, referral to prosecution, charging, and conviction) between 2000 and 2020. Records were collected from PsychINFO and ProQuest and had to report at least one quantitative criminal justice outcome, include data from a U.S. sample and involve original research. Thirty-six records (288,066 sexual assault cases) were analyzed. Results were stratified by reported cases, referred cases, charged cases, and victim age. Studies show that 72.09% to 92.66% of sampled cases are founded (M = 89.21%), 17.73% to 53.42% result in arrest (M = 27.25%), 13.60% to 69.57% result in referral (M = 31.36%), 3.28% to 83.16% result in charging (M = 19.58%), and only 1.86% to 40.31% result in conviction (M = 8.28%). This considerable variability in case outcomes is related to differences in cases included or excluded (e.g., age criterion, only sampling cases with sexual assault kits); thus, these studies are not reflective of all sexual assault cases. Studies were most likely to report arrest rates, followed by charging, referral, conviction, and founding. Overall, we have a good picture of what attrition looks like in adolescent-adult sexual assault cases from the 1980s to early 2010s in the Midwest and Southern CA. More updated research in the remaining parts of the country is needed, particularly from rural locales. Specific recommendations for more precise measurement and reporting methods are provided to improve our understanding of attrition and strengthen where, how, and with whom interventions are needed.