The mediating role of parenting stress in the relation between intimate partner violence and child adjustment

J Fam Psychol. 2006 Sep;20(3):505-513. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.20.3.505.

Abstract

This study examined the role of maternal parenting stress in the relation between intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's emotional and behavioral problems among 139 African American children between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate a mediational model examining maternal reports of IPV and parenting stress and both mother and child reports of child adjustment. Results suggest that parenting stress helps explain the link between IPV and child emotional and behavioral problems. Findings from this study highlight the importance of parenting stress in outcomes of children from low-income African American families who experience IPV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / etiology
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Child Behavior Disorders / etiology
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Psychology, Child / methods
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Urban Population