Maternal-Child Dyads of Functioning: the Intergenerational Impact of Violence Against Women on Children

Abstract

Violence against women is a global epidemic with potential consequences of injury, illness, and death. Children exposed to the violence may also be impacted with functional impairments. Little is known of the inter-generational impact of violence experienced by the mother from an intimate partner on functioning of her children. No dyad analysis was found in the literature. To examine the inter-generational impact of violence against women on the behavioral functioning of children, 300 mothers reporting intimate partner abuse and one randomly chosen child, age 18 months to 16 years of age; were evaluated for borderline and clinical diagnostic levels of problem behaviors. Linear, Logistic, and Ordinal regression models were applied. Mothers' problem behavior scores were significantly related to children's problem behavior scores (internalizing r = 0.611, externalizing r = 0.494, total problems r = 0.662, all ps < 0.001). Mothers who reported clinical and borderline clinical internalized problems (i.e., depression, anxiety) were 7 times more likely to have children with the same problems and mothers with borderline clinical and clinical external problems (i.e., aggression, hostility) were 4.5 times more likely to have children with the same external problems. These dyadic analyses provide evidence of a direct relationship of maternal functioning on child behavioral functioning. Intervention strategies to decrease internalizing maternal behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, and/or externalizing problems, such as hostility and aggression, can be expected to have a pass through, secondary impact on the behavioral functioning of children. Awareness of the relationship between intimate partner violence against mothers and child behavioral function can support interventions that decrease the distress experienced by mothers and their children, interrupt intergenerational transmission of abusive behaviors, and promote better maternal child functioning.

Parenting in the Wake of Abuse: Exploring the Mediating Role of PTSD Symptoms on the Relationship Between Parenting and Child Functioning

“…Previous findings include that mothers with depression and anxiety were 7 times as likely to have children with similar internalizing problems and mothers with aggression and hostility were 4.5 times as likely to have children with similar externalizing problems (McFarlane, Symes, Binder, Maddoux, & Paulson, 2014). In the same sample, 24 months after mothers sought assistance, unpublished results indicate that mother's mental health status remained a strong predictor of child behavior problems.…”

Child Brides, Forced Marriage, and Partner Violence in America

“…Mothers who reported clinical and borderline clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety were seven times more likely to have children with the same problems, and mothers with borderline clinical and clinical symptoms of aggression and hostility were 4.5 times more likely to have children with the same external problems. 9 Modeling of the dyadic relationship over time supports a sustained negative intergenerational effect of violence against women on behavioral disorders of their children. 10 In this analysis, attempted or actual forced marriage was associated with significantly more behavioral dysfunctions of the children.…”

Understanding the intergenerational transmission of violence

“…[4][5][6] This theory posits that behaviours are often learnt from one's environment, and that the family system plays a pivotal role in tutoring. Children inevitably mimic and learn interpersonal skills from their parents, and this theory explains why children who grow up witnessing and experiencing IPV are more likely to be either perpetrators or victims later in their own relationships.…”

“…[6] Therefore, interventions that decrease maternal mental health problems can be expected to have a secondary effect on the mental and behavioural functioning of their children. As mothers learn to improve coping strategies, so do their children.…”