Exposure to maternal vs. paternal partner violence, PTSD, and aggression in adolescent girls and boys

Abstract

Adolescents who witness interparental violence (IPV) are at increased risk for perpetrating aggressive acts. They are also at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, we examined the relation between exposure to maternal vs. paternal physical IPV and adolescent girls' and boys' aggressive behavior toward mothers, fathers, friends, and romantic partners. We also assessed the influence of PTSD (as assessed by the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-IV (DICA-IV)) on the relation between exposure to IPV and aggressive behavior. Participants were 63 girls and 49 boys, ages 13-18, consecutively admitted to a youth correctional facility or assessment facility designated to serve aggressive and delinquent youth. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate unique relations between exposure to maternal vs. paternal IPV and youth aggression in relationships. Girls who observed their mothers' aggressive behavior toward partners were significantly more aggressive toward friends. Similarly, boys who witnessed their fathers' aggression were significantly more aggressive toward friends. Adolescent girls and boys who observed aggression by mothers toward partners reported significantly higher levels of aggression toward their romantic partners. Approximately one third of our sample met PTSD criteria; the relation between exposure to parental IPV and aggression was stronger for individuals who met criteria for PTSD. The implications of understanding the relations between parents' and their daughters' and sons' use of aggression are discussed within the context of providing support for families in breaking intergenerational patterns of violence and aggression. Aggr. Behav. 32:385-395, 2006. r

Coping Expectancies, Not Enhancement Expectancies, Mediate Trauma Experience Effects on Problem Alcohol Use: A Prospective Study From Early Childhood to Adolescence

“…We also extended the findings of Lindgren and colleagues (2012), as we included a measure of psychological distress to directly show the pathway from trauma to increased distress to coping expectancies to in- Furthermore, we demonstrated that the findings on childhood trauma could generalize to a sample of children who grew up in homes with parental violence and to a sample that included males. This is not surprising because children who are exposed to parental violence experience similar long-term effects as children who experience other traumas, including increased levels of PTSD, dysregulated affect, earlier initiation of drinking, and increased likelihood of substance use disorders (Caetano et al, 2003;Moretti et al, 2006;Wood & Sommers, 2011).…”

“…Children exposed to violence between their parents suffer similar long-term effects as do children who experience other traumas, including increased levels of PTSD, internalizing and externalizing problems, and increased likelihood of substance use disorders (Caetano et al, 2003;GrahamBermann & Perkins, 2010;Moretti et al, 2006;Wood & Sommers, 2011). Hamburger and colleagues (2008) assessed the history of child maltreatment in 3,559 students between grades 7 and 12 in a high-risk community.…”

Perceptions and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic College Students

“…Moretti, Obsuth, Odgers, and Reebye (2006) explored the relationship between exposures to IPV aggressive behavior in adolescents by including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an important factor in the dynamics involved. Specifically, the researchers theorized that adolescents with PTSD would be more predisposed toward relationship violence.…”

“…The overwhelming majority of participants (i.e., 89% of the girls and 92% of the boys) resided in two-parent families (Moretti et al, 2006). Nevertheless, the fact that roughly 10% of the adolescents did not add weight to the assertion that the U.S. data underestimate the number of children exposed to IPV (McDonald, Jouriles, RamisettyMikler, Caetano, & Green, 2006).…”

“…Certain gender differences emerged from the analysis (Moretti et al, 2006). Boys who witnessed their fathers commit violent acts against their mothers were more predisposed to display physical aggression toward their friends than those who did not.…”