Differential Effects of Psychological Maltreatment on Children of Mothers Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 236150
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2011 Pages: 524-531
• Author(s): Ariadna de la Vega; Nuria de la Osa; Lourdes Ezpeleta; Roser Granero; Josep Maria Domenech
• Date Published: July 2011
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): SEJ2005-01786
• Sponsoring Agency: Spanish Ministry of Education and Science
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined the adverse outcomes for the mental health and functioning of children who have experienced various types of psychological maltreatment (PM) while living in homes in which they have been exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV).

Abstract

The major categories of PM considered in the study were spurning, terrorizing, exploiting or corrupting, denying emotional responsiveness, isolation, and health and educational neglect. The study found differences in the adverse impact of various types of PM on children's psychopathology and functioning. The subtype of PM with the most negative outcome was spurning, since it is related to both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. A possible explanation for such a global effect is that this type of abuse affects a child's self-perception. The significantly higher score for withdrawal/depression on the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) for children who suffer from spurning could be related to the fact that this form of PM directly affects self-esteem. This is due to the criticism and scorn the child suffers. Terrorizing was not significantly associated with a greater number of negative outcomes in children's psychopathology or functioning. These findings suggest the importance of taking into account various PM types in order to understand the problems of children exposed to IPV at home, as well as for the design of effective treatment and prevention programs. Participants were 168 children between the ages of 4 and 17, whose mothers experienced IPV. They were assessed using various measures of psychopathology and functioning: Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-IV, Child Behavior Checklists, and Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale. IPV was assessed with the Schedule for Assessment of Intimate Partner Violence Exposure in Children and the Index of Spouse Abuse. Statistical analyses were conducted with regression models adjusted by means of Centralized Estimating Equations. 4 tables and 57 references