Health in the aftermath of violence: a critical narrative study of children of war and children of battered women

Abstract

Growing up amid violence has become reality for many children throughout the world. The health effects of this phenomenon have only recently begun to be addressed by researchers. However, there is growing evidence that children who witness violence suffer many of the same outcomes as those who experience violence directly. This critical narrative study examined the understandings and experiences of health and the relationship between violence and health. The sample, aged 10 to 17, comprised 2 groups of witnesses to violence: children of war and children of battered women. Analysis of the data revealed 4 categories: health as the absence of illness, health as a prerequisite for participation in desired activities, health as a holistic and multidimensional phenomenon, and health as a necessity for "getting through the day." While the first 3 ideas are consistent with those of children who have not lived amid violence, the 4th is unique to this population. Although no longer living in violence, the participants continued to face myriad physical and emotional health challenges. However, many also revealed an ability to heal. It is argued that violence and health cannot be separated, that exposure to violence has a profound and lasting influence on children's health beliefs and experiences. This paper addresses long- and short-term strategies for intervention.