Children’s self-perception: Investigating associations with direct victimization, indirect victimization, and caregiver partner violence

Abstract

BackgroundExposure to victimization can negatively impact children’s self-perception; however, little is known about how types of victimization are related to different facets of self-perception. ObjectiveThe current study examined associations between three metrics of victimization exposure (e.g., direct victimization, indirect victimization, caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure) and three aspects of self-perception (i.e., global self-worth, social competence, behavioral conduct) in a sample of racially diverse youth. Participants and settingParticipants were 96 children aged 7–12 (Mage = 9.34, SD = 1.45; 55.2 % girls) and their primary caregiver (Mage = 35.20, SD = 8.08; 100 % women). Families were recruited from a family safety center in the Midsouth, United States. The sample was predominantly Black or African American (76 %) and lower income (65 % lived below the federal poverty line for a family of three). MethodsChildren reported on their own self-perception and experiences of direct and indirect victimization; caregivers reported on their experiences with IPV. ResultsRegression analyses (n = 96 children) demonstrated that direct victimization exposure was negatively associated with children’s self-worth and social competence while indirect victimization exposure was positively linked with children’s self-worth and social competence. Caregiver IPV was not significantly associated with any domain of self-perception. ConclusionsResults highlight the importance of violence prevention programs targeting different forms of victimization and improving accessibility to interventions for children exposed to adversity.