Exploring Risk and Protective Factors for Child Harm Amidst Exposure to Inter-parental Violence

There are limited insights into the differences in perspective between children and adult key-informants on the risk and protective factors for child harm from exposure to inter-parental violence. These differences were explored to inform the development of interventions to decrease levels of child harm. A phenomenological approach guided data collection the Social Construction of Reality Perspective was used to explain the study findings. Thirteen children aged 9–12 years and eight adult key-informants were purposively sampled for interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Parental behavior and culture were reported as risk factors for child harm and, supportive social networks and intimacy as the protective factors. The main distinctions between children’s and adult key-informants’ perspectives lie on the nature of the reported factors, participants’ views on vulnerability, and their cognitive ability. Accommodating children’s perspectives in intervention development is crucial for sustainability and reducing risk while enhancing protective factors in interventions.