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01-10-2009 | Original Article

Domestic Violence and Maternal Reports of Young Children’s Functioning

Authors: Danielle M. Zerk, Peter G. Mertin, Michael Proeve

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 7/2009

Abstract

Maternal reports of 60 preschool-aged children were used to investigate trauma responses to living in households where domestic violence was present. Post-trauma symptoms were measured using developmentally modified criteria based on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Mothers’ level of anxiety, depression, somatization, and self-reported parenting stress were also assessed. Results suggested that, in addition to clinical levels of Internalizing, Externalizing and Total Problem scores on the CBCL, young children displayed a range of post-trauma symptoms. Mothers reported a high level of violence, and a significant relationship was found between self-reported levels of distress and parenting stress. Parenting stress was found to be the strongest predictor of children’s scores on the CBCL. Although domestic violence alone was not significantly correlated to child outcomes, results indicated that maternal distress adversely impacted on the parent-child relationship. The importance of the child’s relationship with the primary caregiver was discussed. Implications regarding further research, developmentally appropriate diagnostic criteria, and early interventions with the primary caregiver are highlighted.

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Title: Domestic Violence and Maternal Reports of Young Children’s Functioning
Authors: Danielle M. Zerk
Peter G. Mertin
Michael Proeve
Publication date: 01-10-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 7/2009
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9237-4

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