Systematic review of the impacts of childhood exposure to domestic violence among college students

Abstract

Adults with childhood exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) histories are at risk of negative life experiences and circumstances as demonstrated through the robust and evolving adverse childhood experiences literature. This systematic review focuses on the retrospective CEDV experiences, and concurrent health (physical and mental) and academic outcomes of young adults enrolled in higher education institutions. The main research questions addressed in this systematic review included: (RQ1) How was CEDV defined and measured? and (RQ2) What is the impact of CEDV on college students' physical and mental health and academic success? This systematic literature review included a final sample size of 17 scholarly articles. Approximately half of the studies were conducted in the United States at predominantly White institutions. Findings from this systematic review demonstrate that CEDV can negatively impact college students' well-being, especially their mental health, but there is inconsistency in how CEDV is measured across studies. Greater methodological sophistication and clarity in how CEDV is conceptualized and measured, as well as enhanced efforts to recruit samples with greater racial and ethnic diversity is needed. The results of this review demonstrate a need for more research that explores the effect of CEDV on students' physical health and academic achievement. With the appropriate tools and training, university professionals have a unique opportunity to support students with CEDV.