Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Family Violence 1/2016

Open Access 01-01-2016 | Original Article

Family Functioning and Children’s Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in a Referred Sample Exposed to Interparental Violence

Authors: Machteld D. Telman, Mathilde M. Overbeek, J. Clasien de Schipper, Francien Lamers-Winkelman, Catrin Finkenauer, Carlo Schuengel

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 1/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

This study examined the association between interparental violence (IPV), child abuse and neglect, other traumatic experiences, and children’s post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and explored the moderating role of family functioning in the aftermath of IPV. One hundred and twenty IPV-exposed children (53.3 % male, M age = 9.85) and parents who were referred to community mental health centers participated in the study. Combined, IPV, child abuse and neglect, and other traumatic experiences were associated with PTS symptoms. For family functioning, higher levels of parenting stress were associated with higher levels of PTS symptoms. No moderating effects were found. To understand the variability in PTS symptoms among children exposed to IPV, other traumatic and stressful experiences need to be taken into account.
Literature
go back to reference Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting stress index (3rd ed.). Odessa, Fl: Psychological Assessment Resources. Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting stress index (3rd ed.). Odessa, Fl: Psychological Assessment Resources.
go back to reference Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA:  Sage.
go back to reference Alisic, E., Zalta, A. K., Van Wesel, F., Larsen, S. E., Hafstad, G. S., Hassanpour, K., & Smid, G. E. (2014). Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed children and adolescents: meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(5), 335–340. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.131227.PubMedCrossRef Alisic, E., Zalta, A. K., Van Wesel, F., Larsen, S. E., Hafstad, G. S., Hassanpour, K., & Smid, G. E. (2014). Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed children and adolescents: meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(5), 335–340. doi:10.​1192/​bjp.​bp.​113.​131227.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
go back to reference Briere, J., Johnson, K., Bissada, A., Damon, L., Crouch, J., Gil, E., & Ernst, V. (2001). The trauma symptom checklist for young children (TSCYC): reliability and association with abuse exposure in a multi-site study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 25(8), 1001–1014. doi:10.1016/s0145-2134(01)00253-8.CrossRef Briere, J., Johnson, K., Bissada, A., Damon, L., Crouch, J., Gil, E., & Ernst, V. (2001). The trauma symptom checklist for young children (TSCYC): reliability and association with abuse exposure in a multi-site study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 25(8), 1001–1014. doi:10.​1016/​s0145-2134(01)00253-8.CrossRef
go back to reference Crnic, K., & Low, C. (2002). Everyday stresses and parenting. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: practical issues in parenting (Vol. 5). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Crnic, K., & Low, C. (2002). Everyday stresses and parenting. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: practical issues in parenting (Vol. 5). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
go back to reference Crusto, C. A., Whitson, M. L., Walling, S. M., Feinn, R., Friedman, S. R., Reynolds, J., & Kaufman, J. S. (2010). Posttraumatic stress among young urban children exposed to family violence and other potentially traumatic events. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(6), 716–724. doi:10.1002/jts.20590.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Crusto, C. A., Whitson, M. L., Walling, S. M., Feinn, R., Friedman, S. R., Reynolds, J., & Kaufman, J. S. (2010). Posttraumatic stress among young urban children exposed to family violence and other potentially traumatic events. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(6), 716–724. doi:10.​1002/​jts.​20590.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (2011). Marital Conflict and Children: An Emotional Security Perspective. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (2011). Marital Conflict and Children: An Emotional Security Perspective. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
go back to reference Davies, P. T., Sturge-Apple, M. L., Cicchetti, D., Manning, L. G., & Vonhold, S. E. (2012). Pathways and processes of risk in associations among maternal antisocial personality symptoms, interparental aggression, and preschooler's psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 24(3), 807–832. doi:10.1017/s0954579412000387.PubMedCrossRef Davies, P. T., Sturge-Apple, M. L., Cicchetti, D., Manning, L. G., & Vonhold, S. E. (2012). Pathways and processes of risk in associations among maternal antisocial personality symptoms, interparental aggression, and preschooler's psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 24(3), 807–832. doi:10.​1017/​s095457941200038​7.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Deater-Deckard, K. (1998). Parenting stress and child adjustment: Some old hypotheses and new questions. Clinical Psychology-Science and Practice, 5(3), 314–332.CrossRef Deater-Deckard, K. (1998). Parenting stress and child adjustment: Some old hypotheses and new questions. Clinical Psychology-Science and Practice, 5(3), 314–332.CrossRef
go back to reference Dube, S. R., Felitti, V. J., Dong, M. X., Giles, W. H., & Anda, R. F. (2003). The impact of adverse childhood experiences on health problems: evidence from four birth cohorts dating back to 1900. Preventive Medicine, 37(3), 268–277. doi:10.1016/s0091-7435(03)00123-3.PubMedCrossRef Dube, S. R., Felitti, V. J., Dong, M. X., Giles, W. H., & Anda, R. F. (2003). The impact of adverse childhood experiences on health problems: evidence from four birth cohorts dating back to 1900. Preventive Medicine, 37(3), 268–277. doi:10.​1016/​s0091-7435(03)00123-3.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference El-Sheikh, M., Cummings, E. M., Kouros, C. D., Elmore-Staton, L., & Buckhalt, J. (2008). Marital psychological and physical aggression and children's mental and physical health: direct, mediated, and moderated effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 138–148. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.76.1.138.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef El-Sheikh, M., Cummings, E. M., Kouros, C. D., Elmore-Staton, L., & Buckhalt, J. (2008). Marital psychological and physical aggression and children's mental and physical health: direct, mediated, and moderated effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 138–148. doi:10.​1037/​0022-006x.​76.​1.​138.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Euser, S., Alink, L., Van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2013). De prevalentie van huiselijk geweld in Nederland in 2010. Euser, S., Alink, L., Van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2013). De prevalentie van huiselijk geweld in Nederland in 2010.
go back to reference Friedrich, W. N. (1997). Parents report of traumatic impact. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic. Friedrich, W. N. (1997). Parents report of traumatic impact. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic.
go back to reference Graham-Bermann, S. A., Castor, L. E., Miller, L. E., & Howell, K. H. (2012). The impact of intimate partner violence and additional traumatic events on trauma symptoms and PTSD in preschool-aged children. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(4), 393–400. doi:10.1002/jts.21724.PubMedCrossRef Graham-Bermann, S. A., Castor, L. E., Miller, L. E., & Howell, K. H. (2012). The impact of intimate partner violence and additional traumatic events on trauma symptoms and PTSD in preschool-aged children. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(4), 393–400. doi:10.​1002/​jts.​21724.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Graham-Bermann, S. A., Lynch, S., Banyard, V., Devoe, E. R., & Halabu, H. (2007). Community-based intervention for children exposed to intimate partner violence: An efficacy trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(2), 199–209. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.75.2.199.PubMedCrossRef Graham-Bermann, S. A., Lynch, S., Banyard, V., Devoe, E. R., & Halabu, H. (2007). Community-based intervention for children exposed to intimate partner violence: An efficacy trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(2), 199–209. doi:10.​1037/​0022-006x.​75.​2.​199.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference IBM. (2012). IBM SPSS statistics for windows (version 21.0). Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. IBM. (2012). IBM SPSS statistics for windows (version 21.0). Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
go back to reference Lamers-Winkelman, F., Willemen, A. M., & Visser, M. (2012). Adverse childhood experiences of referred children exposed to intimate partner violence: consequences for their wellbeing. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(2), 166–179. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.07.006.CrossRef Lamers-Winkelman, F., Willemen, A. M., & Visser, M. (2012). Adverse childhood experiences of referred children exposed to intimate partner violence: consequences for their wellbeing. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(2), 166–179. doi:10.​1016/​j.​chiabu.​2011.​07.​006.CrossRef
go back to reference Levendosky, A. A., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (1998). The moderating effects of parenting stress on children’s adjustment in woman-abusing families. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 13(3), 383–397. doi:10.1177/088626098013003005.CrossRef Levendosky, A. A., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (1998). The moderating effects of parenting stress on children’s adjustment in woman-abusing families. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 13(3), 383–397. doi:10.​1177/​0886260980130030​05.CrossRef
go back to reference Levendosky, A. A., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2001). Parenting in battered women: the effects of domestic violence on women and their children. Journal of Family Violence, 16(2), 171–192. doi:10.1023/a:1011111003373.CrossRef Levendosky, A. A., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2001). Parenting in battered women: the effects of domestic violence on women and their children. Journal of Family Violence, 16(2), 171–192. doi:10.​1023/​a:​1011111003373.CrossRef
go back to reference Lieberman, A. F., & Knorr, K. (2007). The impact of trauma: a developmental framework for infancy and early childhood. Pediatric Annals, 36(4), 209–215.PubMedCrossRef Lieberman, A. F., & Knorr, K. (2007). The impact of trauma: a developmental framework for infancy and early childhood. Pediatric Annals, 36(4), 209–215.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Margolin, G., & Vickerman, K. A. (2007). Post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents exposed to family violence: I. Overview and issues. Professional Psychology and Research Project, 38(6), 613–619. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.38.6.613.CrossRef Margolin, G., & Vickerman, K. A. (2007). Post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents exposed to family violence: I. Overview and issues. Professional Psychology and Research Project, 38(6), 613–619. doi:10.​1037/​0735-7028.​38.​6.​613.CrossRef
go back to reference Miller, L. E., VanZomeren-Dohm, A., Howell, K. H., Hunter, E. C., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2014). In-home social networks and positive adjustment in children witnessing intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Issues, 35(4), 462–480. doi:10.1177/0192513x13478597.CrossRef Miller, L. E., VanZomeren-Dohm, A., Howell, K. H., Hunter, E. C., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2014). In-home social networks and positive adjustment in children witnessing intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Issues, 35(4), 462–480. doi:10.​1177/​0192513x13478597​.CrossRef
go back to reference Overbeek, M. M., de Schipper, J. C., Lamers-Winkelman, F., & Schuengel, C. (2012). The effectiveness of a trauma-focused psycho-educational secondary prevention program for children exposed to interparental violence: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 13. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-13-12. Overbeek, M. M., de Schipper, J. C., Lamers-Winkelman, F., & Schuengel, C. (2012). The effectiveness of a trauma-focused psycho-educational secondary prevention program for children exposed to interparental violence: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 13. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-13-12.
go back to reference Rizo, C. F., Macy, R. J., Ermentrout, D. M., & Johns, N. B. (2011). A review of family interventions for intimate partner violence with a child focus or child component. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(2), 144–166. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2011.02.004.CrossRef Rizo, C. F., Macy, R. J., Ermentrout, D. M., & Johns, N. B. (2011). A review of family interventions for intimate partner violence with a child focus or child component. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(2), 144–166. doi:10.​1016/​j.​avb.​2011.​02.​004.CrossRef
go back to reference Rossman, B. B. R., Bingham, R. D., & Emde, R. N. (1997). Symptomatology and adaptive functioning for children exposed to normative stressors, dog attack, and parental violence. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(8), 1089–1097.PubMedCrossRef Rossman, B. B. R., Bingham, R. D., & Emde, R. N. (1997). Symptomatology and adaptive functioning for children exposed to normative stressors, dog attack, and parental violence. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(8), 1089–1097.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Spilsbury, J. C., Belliston, L., Drotar, D., Drinkard, A., Kretschmar, J., Creeden, R., & Friedman, S. (2007). Clinically significant trauma symptoms and behavioral problems in a community-based sample of children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Family Violence, 22(6), 487–499. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9113-z.CrossRef Spilsbury, J. C., Belliston, L., Drotar, D., Drinkard, A., Kretschmar, J., Creeden, R., & Friedman, S. (2007). Clinically significant trauma symptoms and behavioral problems in a community-based sample of children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Family Violence, 22(6), 487–499. doi:10.​1007/​s10896-007-9113-z.CrossRef
go back to reference Straus, M. A. (2001). Handbook for the conflict tactic scales (CTS), including revised versions CTS2 and CTSPC. Durham, NH: Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire. Straus, M. A. (2001). Handbook for the conflict tactic scales (CTS), including revised versions CTS2 and CTSPC. Durham, NH: Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire.
go back to reference Tierolf, B., Lamers-Winkelman, F., & Briere, J. (2013). Handleiding TSCYC, Vragenlijst over traumasymptomen bij jonge kinderen [Manual TSCYC]. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Hogrefe. Tierolf, B., Lamers-Winkelman, F., & Briere, J. (2013). Handleiding TSCYC, Vragenlijst over traumasymptomen bij jonge kinderen [Manual TSCYC]. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Hogrefe.
go back to reference Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., Hamby, S., Leeb, R. T., Mercy, J. A., & Holt, M. (2012). Family context, victimization, and child trauma symptoms: variations in safe, stable, and nurturing relationships during early and middle childhood. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(2), 209–219. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01147.x.PubMedCrossRef Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., Hamby, S., Leeb, R. T., Mercy, J. A., & Holt, M. (2012). Family context, victimization, and child trauma symptoms: variations in safe, stable, and nurturing relationships during early and middle childhood. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(2), 209–219. doi:10.​1111/​j.​1939-0025.​2012.​01147.​x.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C. V., Lee, V., McIntyre-Smith, A., & Jaffe, P. G. (2003). The effects of children’s exposure to domestic violence: a meta-analysis and critique. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6(3), 171–187. doi:10.1023/a:1024910416164.PubMedCrossRef Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C. V., Lee, V., McIntyre-Smith, A., & Jaffe, P. G. (2003). The effects of children’s exposure to domestic violence: a meta-analysis and critique. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6(3), 171–187. doi:10.​1023/​a:​1024910416164.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Family Functioning and Children’s Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in a Referred Sample Exposed to Interparental Violence
Authors
Machteld D. Telman
Mathilde M. Overbeek
J. Clasien de Schipper
Francien Lamers-Winkelman
Catrin Finkenauer
Carlo Schuengel
Publication date
01-01-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9769-8

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

Journal of Family Violence 1/2016 Go to the issue