CHILD ADJUSTMENT IN HIGH CONFLICT FAMILIES

Children exposed to spousal violence are at risk for social-emotional problems. This research investigated a number of family and child fact ors which might influence the effects of witnessing spousal violence o n young children. Fifty-four mothers who had at least one child in the age range of 3 to 6 years participated in the study. These women had left a violent relationship 12 to 24 months prior to their participati on in the study and were not in a new relationship. Information was co llected through a structured interview which included the administrati on of a standardized family violence measure (conflict tactics scale) and child adjustment profile (child behaviour checklist). Forty-two pe r cent of the children exhibited a level of behavioural problems which would warrant clinical intervention. The amount of violence that the children witnessed, the children's responses when the violence occurre d and whether the child copied the violent partner's behaviour, were a ssociated with the children's behavioural adjustment scores. Maternal parenting style was not found to have a significant effect on behaviou ral adjustment. The study provided important quantitative and qualitat ive data on the nature of parent-child relationships and children's ad justment in families where there is spousal violence.