A Comprehensive Review of Family and Domestic Violence: Patterns, Dynamics, And Control Measures

Background: Family and domestic violence (FDV) consists of a pattern of coercive behaviors used by a compe-tent adult or adolescent to establish and maintain power and control over another person. These behaviors, can occur alone or in combination, sporadically or continually. Each incident builds upon previous episodes, thus setting the stage for future violence. This review describes the theories, types, cycle, classification, and manage-ment strategies for FDV. Methods: A narrative review was carried out. The search strategy included electronic database searches, snow-ball searches of citation list in relevant articles and reviews, and contacting authors/field experts to identify po-tentially eligible studies. Databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Science Direct were searched. Manual searches of the reference lists in Google and Google Scholar supplemented this. Review Findings: Various theories to explain the framework of FDV were analyzed. FDV is perpetrated as physical, sexual, economic, technological, emotional, or psychological abuse, neglect, or stalking. Available evidence shows that the power and control wheel, cycle of abuse, and the equality wheel are some basic tools that have been developed to give an adequate explanation of the process and ways abuse occurs, as well as means of control. These require adequate understanding for practical use. Child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse are major classes of abuse with specific risk factors and means of control. These control measures have not been used adequately, especially in low and middle-income countries. Conclusion: FDV causes worsened psychological and physical health, decreased quality of life, decreased productivity, and sometimes, mortality. This review stresses the role of the family, health care, community, and the government in ensuring adequate control of FDV. Devising adequate means of control of FDV is paramount within the family and the community.