The direct and indirect effects of domestic violence on young children's intellectual functioning

This study examined the direct and indirect effects of domestic violence on preschoolers' intellectual functioning. The sample consisted of 100 women and their 3-5-year-old children (44 boys and 56 girls) recruited from the g eneral community. Forty-three percent of mothers had experienced domestic v iolence within the last year, defined by at least one physically aggressive act by an intimate partner Children who had witnessed domestic violence ha d significantly poorer verbal abilities than nonwitnesses after controlling for SES and child abuse, but there were no group differences on visual-spa tial abilities. Domestic violence also indirectly affected both types of in tellectual abilities through its impact on maternal depression and the inte llectual quality of the home environment. Strengths and limitations of the study are discussed, as well as the implications for interventions for youn g child witnesses.