NCJ Number
177046
Journal
Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 1998 Pages: 23-50
Date Published
1998
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article discusses factors that influence the adjustment and development of children of battered women, and presents evidence for these youngsters experiencing emotional abuse.
Abstract
The article reviews research regarding the children's psychological adjustment and identifies mediating variables that play a role in the heterogeneity seen in the children's psychological functioning and development. The types of problems studied included behavioral and emotional, cognitive skills, social relationships and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Child-related mediating and moderating factors included age, gender, coping abilities, and ethnic group. Situational/contextual mediating and moderating factors included type of violence experienced, emotional climate, maternal stresses or maternal mental health, social support, and marital conflict factors. Researchers are able to study children of battered women and their functioning guided by theories developed in a broader context, incorporating a host of child-related and situational/contextual factors. However, additional improvement in methodologies is vital for advancing knowledge in the field. References