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Domestic Violence and Maternal Reports of Young Children’s Functioning

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia

    Danielle M. Zerk & Michael Proeve

  2. Legal Services Commission of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia

    Peter G. Mertin

  3. Southern Adelaide Health Service, Southern Primary Heath Woodcroft, Adelaide, South Australia

    Danielle M. Zerk

Authors
  1. Danielle M. Zerk
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  2. Peter G. Mertin
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  3. Michael Proeve
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Correspondence to Danielle M. Zerk.

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Zerk, D.M., Mertin, P.G. & Proeve, M. Domestic Violence and Maternal Reports of Young Children’s Functioning. J Fam Viol 24, 423–432 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9237-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9237-4

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