Physical violence and other forms of marital aggression: Links with children's behavior problems.

Abstract

Two studies examined whether physical marital violence and other forms of marital aggression (e.g., threats, throwing objects) correlate with children's behavior problems in families marked by recent spousal violence. Study 1 included 55 families seeking marital therapy. Study 2 included 199 families at battered women's shelters. In the marital therapy sample, both physical marital violence and other forms of marital aggression correlated positively with children's externalizing problems. In the women's shelter sample, physical violence and other forms of marital aggression correlated positively with children's externalizing and internalizing problems. After accounting for the frequency of physical marital violence, forms of marital aggression other than physical violence still related to children's externalizing problems in the marital therapy sample and to children's internalizing problems in the women's shelter sample.

Marital psychological and physical aggression and children's mental and physical health: Direct, mediated, and moderated effects.

“…Marital conflict can take many forms, including displays of both positive and negative emotions and constructive (e.g., problem-solving) and destructive (e.g., physical assault) tactics. Thus, marital aggression, characterized by physical and/or psychological abuse, is at the negative extreme of a continuum of marital conflict (Cummings, 1998 considered by some to be psychological abuse, whereas marital physical violence indicates physical assault on a partner's body (Jouriles, Norwood, & McDonald, 1996). Marital psychological/verbal and physical aggression is prevalent in U.S. families (NIH, 2003, PAR-03-096) and is associated with adverse child outcomes in externalizing (Jouriles, Murphy, & O'Learey, 1989), internalizing (Marks, Glaser, Glass, & Horne, 2001), and posttraumatic stress disorder domains (Kilpatrick & Williams, 1997).…”

“…considered by some to be psychological abuse, whereas marital physical violence indicates physical assault on a partner's body (Jouriles, Norwood, & McDonald, 1996). Marital psychological/verbal and physical aggression is prevalent in U.S. families (NIH, 2003, PAR-03-096) and is associated with adverse child outcomes in externalizing (Jouriles, Murphy, & O'Learey, 1989), internalizing (Marks, Glaser, Glass, & Horne, 2001), and posttraumatic stress disorder domains (Kilpatrick & Williams, 1997).…”

“…Furthermore, marital psychological abuse may account for additional unique variance in child functioning after controlling for the effects of physical aggression (Jouriles et al, 1996), highlighting the importance of examining multiple aspects of marital aggression.…”

Les troubles extériorisés et intériorisés des enfants témoins de violence conjugale et leurs variables associées : une recension des écrits

“…Les écrits recensés révèlent qu'environ 35 % à 45 % des enfants témoins de violence conjugale présentent ces troubles à un niveau clinique (Christopoulos et al, 1987 ;Davis et Carlson, 1987 ;Fantuzzo et al, 1991 ;Holden et Ritchie, 1991 ;Hughes et al, 1989 ;Jaffe et al, 1986b ;Jouriles et al, 1996 ;Jouriles et al, 1989 ;O'Keefe, 1994a ;O'Keefe, 1995 ;Stagg et al, 1989 ;Wildin et al, 1991 ;Wolfe et al, 1985 ;Wolfe et al, 1986). Par le fait même, nous pouvons observer qu'environ la moitié de ces enfants ne présentent pas de troubles significatifs au moment de leur évaluation.…”

“…Les résultats révèlent que les trois groupes d'enfants ne se distinguent pas de façon significative pour les troubles de comportement. Jaffe et al (1985) Jouriles et al (1996) ont réalisé deux recherches sur un aspect encore non étudié dans la documentation scientifique portant sur les enfants témoins de violence conjugale. Ils ont cherché à savoir si les actes d'agressions n'impliquant pas d'attaques physiques entre partenaires (insulter, menacer, lancer des objets, etc.)…”