Child Attributions Mediate Relationships Between Violence Exposure and Trauma Symptomology

Kathryn S Collins,Polly Reinicker,Frederick H Strieder,George Jay Unick,Pamela A Clarkson Freeman,Melissa H Bellin

doi:10.18060/21283

Abstract

Violence and trauma exposure have been increasingly investigated as contributing to a range of negative outcomes in child physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological functioning, particularly among youth who are racial/ethnic minorities. This study presents findings related to children's attributions of their violence and trauma exposure. Attributions are inferences made about the cause of an event, situation, or action, with internal, stable, and global attributions most likely to lead to negative psychological outcomes. Data were drawn from an on-going clinical intervention study with families at risk for child maltreatment and/or neglect residing in a large metropolitan city on the East Coast. Mediation models provide evidence for a mediated relationship between violence exposure and PTSD through child attribution. Children develop their definitions of violence, formulate reasons why the violence occurs, and react to violence based on interpreting and developing cognitive attributions and schema about their experiences with violence in order to adaptively cope.

Highlights

Violence and trauma exposure have been increasingly investigated as contributing to a range of negative outcomes in child physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological functioning, among youth who are racial/ethnic minorities
The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study assessed over 17,000 participants to examine the long-term effects of violence and trauma on biological, social, and psychological outcomes (CDC, 2014)
Children exposed to violence and trauma are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which includes symptoms of unwanted, intrusive memories, avoidance of places, activities or talking about the event, emotional numbness and irritability, inability to maintain close relationships, guilt or shame, and inability to sleep or concentrate (American Psychological Association, 2017)

Summary

Introduction

Violence and trauma exposure have been increasingly investigated as contributing to a range of negative outcomes in child physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological functioning, among youth who are racial/ethnic minorities. Mediation models provide evidence for a mediated relationship between violence exposure and PTSD through child attribution. Impacted since they are more likely to experience continuous exposure to traumatic events and violence in their home and community environment. Exposure to violence can negatively impact and erode a child's physical, emotional, social, and psychological functioning. Children exposed to violence and trauma are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which includes symptoms of unwanted, intrusive memories, avoidance of places, activities or talking about the event, emotional numbness and irritability, inability to maintain close relationships, guilt or shame, and inability to sleep or concentrate (American Psychological Association, 2017). The deleterious impact of violence exposure on psychological symptoms is pronounced among youth who are impoverished and are racial/ethnic minorities (Andrews et al, 2015)

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