Long-Term Effects of Witnessing Marital Violence for Women: The Contribution of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse

• NCJ Number: 180642
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1999 Pages: 377-398
• Author(s): Margaret M. Feerick; Jeffrey J. Haugaard
• Date Published: December 1999
• Length: 22 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: New York State College of Human Ecology
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the effects on women's adult adjustment and relationship functioning of having witnessed or been victims of violence in their childhood.

Abstract

A sample of 313 college women completed a questionnaire about experiences with violence in childhood and adulthood and adult adjustment and relationship functioning. Witnessing marital violence was associated with other family mental health risks, childhood physical and sexual abuse and adult physical assaults by strangers. Women who witnessed marital violence had more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder than other women, after family background and abuse variables were accounted for. Significant interactions between witnessing marital violence and childhood physical abuse were observed for measures of social avoidance and predictability in partner relationships, indicating that the effects of witnessing marital violence depended on the presence of childhood abuse. Tables, notes, references