Longitudinal predictors of children's self-blame appraisals among military families reported for family violence

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough children's self-blame appraisals are recognized as important sequelae of child victimization that contribute to subsequent adjustment problems, little is known about the factors that predict their development and longitudinal course. ObjectiveThe current study examines the stability and longitudinal predictors of children's self-blame appraisals among a sample of children reported for family violence. Participants and settingChildren (N = 195; 63 % female) aged 7 to 17 years (Mage = 12.17) were recruited as part of a longitudinal assessment of families referred to the United States Navy's Family Advocacy Program due to allegations of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, or intimate partner violence. MethodsChildren completed assessments on self-blame at 3 time points (baseline, 9–12 months, and 18–24 months) and baseline measures of their victimization experience, caregiver-child conflict, and depression. ResultsIn univariate analyses, victimization that involved injury (r = 0.29, p < .001), the number of perpetrators (r = 0.23, p = .001), the number of victimization types (r = 0.32, p < .001), caregiver-child conflict (r = 0.36, p < .001), and depression (r = 0.39, p < .001) were each positively associated with baseline self-blame. When examined in a single longitudinal multilevel model, results indicated only caregiver-child conflict (b = 0.08, p = .007) and baseline depression (b = 0.06, p = .013) predicted increases in self-blame. ConclusionFindings suggest clinicians and researchers may consider assessment of victimization characteristics, caregiver-child relationships, and depression symptoms to identify children most at risk for developing self-blame appraisals.