Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/74482
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Type: Journal article
Title: Domestic violence and maternal reports of young children's functioning
Author: Zerk, D.
Mertin, P.
Proeve, M.
Citation: Journal of Family Violence, 2009; 24(7):423-432
Publisher: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publ
Issue Date: 2009
ISSN: 0885-7482
1573-2851
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Danielle M. Zerk, Peter G. Mertin, Michael Proeve
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. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.
Keywords: Young children
Domestic violence
Post-trauma symptoms
Maternal reports
Parenting stress
Parent-child relationship
Trauma symptoms
Rights: © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009
DOI: 10.1007/s10896-009-9237-4
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9237-4
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest 4
Psychology publications

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