Witnessing domestiv abuse in childhood as an independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in young childhood.
Date
2010
Journal Title
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Publisher
Child Abuse & Neglect
Abstract
Objective—This study addresses the relationship between retrospective reports of witnessing
domestic abuse in childhood and levels of depressive symptoms in young adulthood. We examine
whether the association between having witnessed violence in childhood and depression is
independent of having been the direct target of sexual and/or physical abuse, as well as other
characteristics and experiences linked with family violence.
Method—We used two waves of data collected from a sample of 1,175 young adults (ages 20 to
24) in Miami, Florida. Retrospective self-reports of witnessed abuse and measures of family context
and adversities were obtained in 1998–2000. The respondents' level of depressive symptoms was
assessed two years later in 2000–2002.
Results—Multivariate results indicate that frequently having witnessed domestic abuse predicts
higher levels of depressive symptoms in young adulthood, independently of other risk factors for
depression and family violence.
Conclusion—Results provide preliminary evidence that frequent exposure to domestic abuse is an
independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in young adulthood.
Practice implications—Results support a renewed call for (a) increased attention to depression
among children exposed to adults' interpersonal violence, and (b) greater efforts to bridge prevention
and intervention efforts regarding domestic violence and child maltreatment.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
mental health, domestic violence, long term effects
Citation
Russell, D., Springer K.W., & Greenfield, E. A. (2010). Witnessing domestiv abuse in childhood as an independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in young childhood. Child Abuse & Neglect, 34(6), 448-453