An Examination of Children Exposed to Marital Violence Accessing a Treatment Intervention

Abstract

SUMMARY This study examines the well-being of families accessing treatment due to children's exposure to marital violence. Participants were 47 children, aged 6–12 years, enrolled in a 10-week group treatment intervention and one of their parents who were attending a corresponding parenting group. Measures were administered prior to the commencement of the programs and again in the ninth week of the interventions. Children completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and associated symptoms, and knowledge of abuse and safety planning. Parents reported on child competence and behavior problems, as well as their own experience of stress. Results indicated elevated rates of clinical scores on several measures compared with normative data. Parental stress was significantly correlated with reported child behavior problems, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Scores at the second assessment indicated significant changes in ratings of child behavior problems, pa...