Potential Mediators of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence
Abstract
Objective The aim was to examine variables that might mediate the incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in child witnesses to domestic violence. These variables included age, gender, locus of control, self-blame, perception of threat, active versus palliative coping style, maternal emotional health plus aspects of the violence witnessed (intensity, frequency, age of child when first witnessing violence, and time since the last violent episode). Method Following screening for other PTSD inducing experiences, a sample of 20 child witnesses to domestic violence, 15 matched control children, and their mothers were assessed using the following tools: The Straus Conflict Tactics Scale; the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index; the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale; the General Health Questionnaire, and a Screening Questionnaire designed to elicit qualitative information from both children and mothers including data about any other potential PTSD inducing stressor the subject child may have been exposed to. Results None of the factors under examination were found to contribute significantly to the severity levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in relation to witness status. Conclusion The small sample size of the study necessitates that the results be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless the findings indicate that the impact of witnessing domestic violence, in terms of PTSD, is not mediated by factors such as maternal emotional well-being, age and gen…
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Children exposed to domestic violence score higher on PTSD scales and often meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
“Evidence for this connection comes from findings that children who have been exposed to do- mestic violence score higher on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scales (Rossman, 1998) and of- ten meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD (Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998).”
From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998
Exposure to domestic violence may lead to trauma symptoms such as intrusive reexperiencing, hyperarousal, and emotional withdrawal.
“Exposure to domestic violence may also lead to trauma symptoms in the form of intrusive reexperiencing of the events in dreams or flashbacks, hy- perarousal or an exaggerated startle response, and emotional withdrawal (Graham-Bermann & Lev- endosky, 1998; Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998; Lehmann, 1997; Rossman, 1998; Vickerman & Margolin, 2007).”
From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998
There are strong theoretical links between exposure to violence and PTSD related symptoms.
“This dearth is especially concerning given the strong theoretical links between exposure to violence and PTSD related symptoms (Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998; Margolin & Vickerman, 2007).”
From Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes (2008) · cites this paper as Kilpatrick & Williams, 1998
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Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment: Challenges and Opportunities
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- Authors
- Kilpatrick, K. L., & Williams, L. M.
- Affiliations
- University of New England (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Kilpatrick, Kym L
- ORCID
- Williams, L.M
- Venue
- Child Abuse & Neglect
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1998-04
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 319-330
- ISSN
- 0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2062358729
- Cited by
- 127
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 5.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, children exposed to domestic violence, domestic violence, mediation, locus of control, self-blame, threat perception, coping styles, maternal emotional health, parental conflict, child age and gender, child mental health
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Age Factors, Child, Psychology, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Parent-Child Relations, Sex Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Domestic Violence
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