Citation

Levendosky AA, Huth-Bocks AC, Shapiro DL, Semel MA. J. Fam. Psychol. 2003; 17(3): 275-287.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 129 Psychology Research Building, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. levendo1@msu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0893-3200.17.3.275

PMID

14562453

Abstract

Although preschool-age children are at risk for witnessing domestic violence, the majority of research has focused on children ages 6 to 12 years. This study examines the mediating role of the mother-child relationship on preschool-age children's functioning in families experiencing domestic violence. Maternal report and behavioral observations of mother-child interactions were used to assess relationship quality. Participants consisted of 103 children and their mothers. The data fit the model well but indicated that some of the correlations were not in the expected direction. Although depressed mothers were struggling with parenting, other mothers appeared to be compensating for the violence by becoming more effective parents. Domestic violence negatively impacted children's behavior with their mothers in interactions but did not influence maternal report of problem behaviors, suggesting that the impact of domestic violence begins very early and in the realm of relationships rather than in mental health.

Language: en