NCJ Number
245438
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2013 Pages: 201-212
Date Published
February 2013
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study explored the role women's parenting stress plays in the relationship between exposure to physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's externalizing and internalizing behavior problems.
Abstract
Parenting characteristics can have a significant influence on how children are affected by family violence. The purpose of this study was to explore the role women's parenting stress plays in the relationship between exposure to physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. Data for this study were taken from three waves of the Illinois Families Study. The final sample included 1,653 children from 805 families. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted across two developmental stages in order to better understand the unique relationships based on child development. For children ages 6-12 years, parenting stress mediated the relationship between exposure to psychological IPV and internalizing behaviors. No direct or indirect pathways between exposure to IPV and children's behavior problems were found among adolescents ages 13-17. Implications for social service interventions with children and families exposed to violence are included. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.