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

Date

2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Family Violence

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.

Description

Keywords

domestic violence, Post-traumatic stress, Family functioning, Parenting stress, child abuse, emotional security

Citation

Telman, M. D., Overbeek, M. M., de Schipper, J. C., Lamers-Winkelman, F., Finkenauer, C., & Schuengel, C. (2016). Family functioning and children’s post-traumatic stress symptoms in a referred sample exposed to interparental violence. Journal of family violence, 31(1), 127-136.

DOI