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01-02-2017 | Original Article

Gender Role and Gender as Predictors of Behavior Problems in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Authors: Kathryn E. Smagur, G. Anne Bogat, Alytia A. Levendosky

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) are likely to develop behavior problems, but findings are mixed regarding whether girls and boys are differentially affected. Bem (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 634–643, 1975) argued that gender role is an important predictor of mental health, and this relationship may differ for males and females due to societal gender norms. Given the gendered nature of IPV, we examined whether gender role interacted with gender to predict behavior problems in IPV-exposed children (n = 176). Among four-year-old children, gender-typed gender roles were a risk factor for girls but not boys, and androgynous gender roles were protective for both boys and girls on average. However, post hoc analyses indicated the amount of IPV exposure mattered; androgynous girls exposed to chronic IPV had more behavior problems. Results illustrate the importance of societal and family gender norms in determining children’s risk for behavior problems following exposure to IPV.

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Title: Gender Role and Gender as Predictors of Behavior Problems in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Kathryn E. Smagur
G. Anne Bogat
Alytia A. Levendosky
Publication date: 01-02-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9890-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Gender Role and Gender as Predictors of Behavior Problems in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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