Building Emotional Strength in Broken Homes: Protective Factors for Domestic Violence-Affected Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents exposed to domestic violence (DV) often experience profound emotional, behavioral, and academic disturbances that can derail their developmental trajectories. However, not all adolescents respond to such adversity in the same way. This research paper explores the protective factors that foster emotional strength and resilience among adolescents living in violent household environments, with a specific focus on the Pakistani socio-cultural context. Drawing upon Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and attachment theory, this study investigates how individual coping mechanisms, peer and teacher support, school engagement, and community-based interventions contribute to adaptive functioning among DV-exposed adolescents. Using a cross-sectional design and a sample of 200 adolescents from urban and peri-urban schools in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, data were gathered through standardized psychological instruments and self-reported academic records. Quantitative analysis revealed that perceived social support, emotional regulation skills, and a sense of school belonging significantly moderated the negative effects of domestic violence on psychological well-being and academic performance. Furthermore, gender, type of school (public vs. private), and parental employment status emerged as influential demographic variables shaping resilience outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need to embed trauma-informed practices within school systems and to enhance peer mentorship and teacher sensitivity training. This paper contributes to the global discourse on childhood adversity by highlighting culturally relevant protective mechanisms that can help adolescents not only survive but thrive in the face of domestic violence. Policy implications for educational institutions, child protection agencies, and mental health professionals are discussed to support the creation of emotionally safe environments for vulnerable youth.