Patterns of adjustment among children of battered women

Children exposed to interparental violence have been characterized by an ar ray of psychological problems, but findings regarding the precise nature of these problems have been inconsistent. This study used cluster analysis to determine whether distinct patterns of adjustment could be identified in 2 28 8-to 14-year-old children residing in battered women's shelters. Five su ch patterns emerged: multiproblem-externalizing, multiproblem-internalizing , externalizing, mild distress, and no problems reported. This solution was cross-validated in independent halves of the sample and was similar for bu ys and girls. Differences among the clusters on relevant family and demogra phic variables were examined, and it was found that the clusters could be d istinguished on the basis of the frequency of children's exposure to interp arental violence, parent-child aggression, and children's appraisals of int erparental conflict.