The Resilience and Protective Factors of Children Aged 5–12 Years in Canada Previously Exposed to Parental Gender-Based Violence

Exposure to parental gender-based violence (GBV) can include witnessing, hearing, or knowing violence is occurring within the home and/or being a direct subject of coercive control tactics; it is associated with adverse outcomes when compared to non-exposed peers. Despite this, many children display resilience, which may be influenced by both internal and external factors. The primary objective of this study was to explore the resilience and protective factors among a national Canadian sample of children previously exposed to parental GBV. A second exploratory objective of this work was to explore the relationship between protective factors and resilience among this sample. Data from 240 children aged 5 to 12 years who were previously exposed to parental GBV were included in this study. Grounded in Resiliency Theory, this cross-sectional study collected parent-report data via an online survey including standardized measures of GBV, resilience, children’s assets and their resources. Nearly all correlations between resilience and protective factors were significant, with the strongest being strengths and difficulties, external support, and family dynamics. Ultimately, both children’s internal and external protective factors were associated with their resilience. Supporting children following exposure to parental GBV therefore requires approaches that extend beyond the child to include efforts that strengthen family functioning, enhance access to supportive relationships and services, and address the broader structural conditions that influence children’s opportunities to thrive.