NCJ Number
228081
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 24 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 423-432
Date Published
October 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study investigated children's responses to stressful environments, specifically in households where domestic violence was present.
Abstract
Based on maternal reports of their children's behavior, the results revealed a range of symptoms with the most prominent of which were changes in sleeping patterns, becoming more fearful and clingy, increased motor activity, and the development of separation anxiety. Also, high levels of general distress were indicated. Based on the findings, it was concluded that post trauma symptoms might be influenced by the children's own experiences. Additional research was recommended to focus on to what extent the primary caregiver's own level of distress and possibly diminished coping abilities, as a result of violence and abuse, might influence the way they perceive their children. Over the past few decades, the impact of children witnessing domestic violence has become an important focus for investigations. This study investigated trauma responses to living in households where domestic violence was present using maternal reports of 60 preschool-aged children. Tables and references