Variations in Behavior Problems of Preschoolers Exposed to Domestic Violence: The Role of Mothers’ Attunement to Children’s Emotional Experiences

被引:0
作者
Vanessa K. Johnson
Alicia F. Lieberman
机构
[1] West Chester University,Department of Psychology
[2] University of California,Department of Psychiatry
来源
Journal of Family Violence | 2007年 / 22卷
关键词
Domestic violence; Preschoolers; Maternal attunement; Behavior problems;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
The purpose of this study was to identify aspects of family relationships that may protect young children from the pathogenic effects of family violence. Using a sample of 30 preschool-age children whose mothers were physically abused by a partner, we investigated the associations between children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems and: (1) the quality of the mother–child relationship, and (2) mothers’ attunement to their child’s sad and angry emotions. Results indicated that clinician ratings of the mother–child relationship, and mothers’ attunement to their child’s experience of emotion each made a unique contribution to the prediction of children’s externalizing behavior. These relationships remained robust, even after taking the severity of domestic violence reported by mothers into consideration. Maternal attunement, however, did not mediate the relationship between marital conflict and children’s behavior problems. No significant link was found between children’s internalizing behavior and maternal attunement to their children’s sadness and anger. Additional findings suggested that mothers with a PTSD diagnosis tended to be less attuned to their child’s experience of sadness.
引用
收藏
页码:297 / 308
页数:11
相关论文
共 107 条
[1]  
Baron R. M.(1986)The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 1173-1182
[2]  
Kenny D. A.(1983)Children of parents with major affective disorder: A review American Journal of Psychiatry 140 825-832
[3]  
Beardslee W. R.(1990)Clinician administered PTSD scale The Behavior Therapist 18 12-14
[4]  
Bemporad J.(1983)Psychopathology of parenthood: Implications for mental health of children Infant Mental Health 4 140-164
[5]  
Keller M. B.(1984)Perceptions of child, child-rearing values, and emotional distress as mediating links between environmental stressors and observed maternal behavior Child Development 55 2234-2247
[6]  
Blake D. D.(1985)Influence of conflict between adults on the emotions and aggression of young children Developmental Psychology 21 495-507
[7]  
Weathers F.(1999)Behavior problems in children exposed to wife abuse: Gender differences Journal of Family Violence 14 133-156
[8]  
Nagy L.(1989)Children’s responses to different forms of expression of anger between adults Child Development 60 1392-1404
[9]  
Kaloupek D. G.(1981)Young children’s responses to expressions of anger and affection by others in the family Child Development 52 1274-1281
[10]  
Klauminzer G.(2004)Interparental conflict and adolescent adjustment: Why does gender moderate early adolescent vulnerability? Journal of Family Psychology 18 160-170