Abstract
Millions of women experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and physical intimate partner violence (PIPV). Yet, little is known about the pathways through which these victimization experiences may impact women’s sense of their parenting competence. We conducted a secondary analysis of a dataset obtained through the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. The purpose of our study was to examine associations between CSA, PIPV, depressive symptoms, personal mastery, and perceptions of parenting competence among low-income mothers of young children (N = 264). Our hypotheses were: (a) CSA would be positively associated with PIPV, (b) PIPV would be positively associated with depressive symptoms and negatively associated with mastery and parenting competence, and (c) the association between PIPV and women’s sense of parenting competence would be mediated by depressive symptoms and mastery. The results supported our first and third hypotheses and partially supported our second hypothesis. Our study findings suggest that interventions that reduce mothers’ depressive symptoms may also improve their perceptions of personal mastery and parenting competence.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ardelt, M., & Eccles, J. S. (2001). Effects of mothers’ parental efficacy beliefs and promotive parenting strategies on inner-city youth. Journal of Family Issues, 22(8), 944–972. doi:10.1177/019251301022008001.
Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37(2), 122–147. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.37.2.122.
Banyard, V. L. (1997). The impact of childhood sexual abuse and family functioning on four dimensions of women’s later parenting. Child Abuse and Neglect, 21(11), 1095–1107. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00068-9.
Banyard, V. L., Williams, L. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2003). Impact of complex trauma and depression on parenting: An exploration of mediating risk and protective factors. Child Maltreatment, 8(4), 334–349. doi:10.1177/1077559503257106.
Belsky, J. (1984). The determinants of parenting: A process model. Child Development, 55(1), 83–96. doi:10.2307/1129836.
Benedict, M. I. (1998). Parenting among women sexually abused in childhood. Final report submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services. Grant #90-CA-1544.
Benedict, M. I. (2001). Parenting among women sexually abused in childhood, 1998—User’s Guide. National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu/NDACAN/Datasets/UserGuidePDFs/085user.pdf.
Benedict, M. I., Paine, L. L., Paine, L. A., Brandt, D., & Stallings, R. (1999). The association of childhood sexual abuse with depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and selected pregnancy outcomes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 23(7), 659–670. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00040-X.
Black, M. C., Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S. G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M. R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/.
Canady, R. B., Stommel, M., & Holzman, C. (2009). Measurement properties of the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a sample of African–American and non-Hispanic White pregnant women. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 17(2), 91–104. doi:10.1891/1061-3749.17.2.91.
Chung, E. K., McCollum, K. F., Elo, I. T., Lee, H. J., & Culhane, J. F. (2004). Maternal depressive symptoms and infant health practices among low-income women. Pediatrics, 113(6), e523–e529.
Coker, A. L., Davis, K. E., Arias, I., Desai, S., Sanderson, M., Brandt, H. M., & Smith, P. H. (2002). Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23(4), 260–268. doi:10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00514-7.
Coleman, P. K., & Karraker, K. H. (2000). Parenting self-efficacy among mothers of school-age children: Conceptualization, measurement, and correlates. Family Relations, 49(1), 13–24. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00013.x.
Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., et al. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 390–398.
Daigneault, I., Hébert, M., & McDuff, P. (2009). Men’s and women’s childhood sexual abuse and victimization in adult partner relationships: A study of risk factors. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33, 638–647. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.04.003.
DeVoe, E. R., & Smith, E. L. (2002). The impact of domestic violence on urban preschool children. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(10), 1075–1101. doi:10.1177/088626002236661.
DiLillo, D., Guiffre, D., Tremblay, G. C., & Peterson, L. (2001). A closer look at the nature of intimate partner violence reported by women with a history of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(2), 116–132. doi:10.1177/088626001016002002.
DiLillo, D., Tremblay, G. C., & Peterson, L. (2000). Linking childhood sexual abuse and abusive parenting: The mediating role of maternal anger. Child Abuse and Neglect, 24(6), 767–779.
Dix, T., & Meunier, L. N. (2009). Depressive symptoms and parenting competence: An analysis of 13 regulatory processes. Developmental Review, 29(1), 45–68. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2008.11.002.
Engfer, A. (1988). The interrelatedness of marriage and the mother–child relationship. In R. A. Hinde & J. Stevenson-Hinde (Eds.), Relationships within families: Mutual influences (pp. 104–118). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Erel, O., & Burman, B. (1995). Interrelatedness of marital relations and parent–child relations: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 108–132. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.118.1.108.
Evans, S. E., Davies, C., & DiLillo, D. (2008). Exposure to domestic violence: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent outcomes. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 13, 131–140. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2008.02.005.
Fergusson, D. M., Boden, J. M., & Horwood, L. J. (2008). Exposure to childhood sexual and physical abuse and adjustment in early adulthood. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32(6), 607–619. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.12.018.
Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2005). Partner violence and mental health outcomes in a New Zealand birth cohort. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 1103–1119. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2005.00202.x.
Gibaud-Wallston, J., & Wandersman, L. P. (1978). Development and utility of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
Gilmore, L., & Cuskelly, M. (2009). Factor structure of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale using a normative sample. Child: Care, Health and Development, 38(1), 48–55. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2008.00867.x.
Goodman, S. H., Rouse, M. H., Connell, A. M., Broth, M. R., Hall, C. M., & Heyward, D. (2011). Maternal depression and child psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(1), 1–27. doi:10.1007/s10567-010-0080-1.
Hu, L-t, & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55. doi:10.1080/10705519909540118.
Huang, C. C., Wang, L. R., & Warrener, C. (2010). Effects of domestic violence on behavior problems in preschool-aged children: Do maternal mental health and parenting mediate the effects? Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 1317–1323. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.04.024.
Jackson, A. P., & Huang, C. C. (2000). Parenting stress and behavior among single mothers of preschoolers: The mediating role of self-efficacy. Journal of Social Service Research, 26(4), 29–42. doi:10.1300/J079v26n04_02.
Jackson, A. P., & Scheines, R. (2005). Single mothers’ self-efficacy, parenting in the home environment, and children’s development in a two-wave study. Social Work Research, 29(1), 7–20. doi:10.1093/swr/29.1.7.
Jaffe, A. E., Cranston, C. C., & Shadlow, J. (2012). Parenting in females exposed to intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21(6), 684–700. doi:10.1080/10538712.2012.726698.
Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A measure of parenting satisfaction and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167–175. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp1802_8.
Jones, T. L., & Prinz, R. J. (2005). Potential roles of parental self-efficacy in parent and child adjustment: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 25(3), 341–363. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.004.
Kalil, A., Tolman, R., Rosen, D., & Gruber, G. (2003). Domestic violence and children’s behavior in low-income families. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 3, 75–101. doi:10.1300/J135v03n01_04.
Kenny, D. A. (2011). Path analysis. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://davidakenny.net/cm/pathanal.htm.
Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practices of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
Krisknakumar, A., & Buehler, C. (2000). Interparental conflict and parenting behaviors: A meta-analytic review. Family Relations, 49, 25–44. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00025.x.
Leigh, B., & Milgrom, J. (2008). Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress. BMC Psychiatry, 8, 24. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-8-24.
Levendosky, A. A., Huth-Bocks, A. C., Shapiro, D. L., & Semel, M. A. (2003). The impact of domestic violence on the maternal–child relationship and preschool-age children’s functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 17(3), 275–287. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.17.3.275.
Levendosky, A. A., Leahy, K. L., Bogat, G. A., Davidson, W. S., & von Eye, A. (2006). Domestic violence, maternal parenting, maternal mental health and infant externalizing behavior. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(4), 544–552. doi:10.1037/08933200.20.4.544.
Levendosky, A. A., Lynch, S. M., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2000). Mothers’ perceptions of the impact of woman abuse on their parenting. Violence Against Women, 6(3), 247–271. doi:10.1177/10778010022181831.
Mechanic, M., Weaver, T., & Resick, P. (2008). Mental health consequences of intimate partner abuse: A multidimensional assessment of four different forms of abuse. Violence Against Women, 14(6), 634–654. doi:10.1177/1077801208319283.
Molnar, B. E., Buka, S. L., & Kessler, R. C. (2001). Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. American Journal of Public Health, 91(5), 753–760.
Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2012). Mplus statistical analysis with latent variables user’s guide (7th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Author.
Ohan, J. L., Leung, D. W., & Johnston, C. (2000). The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale: Evidence of a stable factor structure and validity. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 32(4), 251–261. doi:10.1037/h0087122.
Pearlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. (1978). The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19(1), 2–21. doi:10.2307/2136319.
Putnam, F. W. (2003). Ten-year research update review: Child sexual abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(3), 269–278. doi:10.1097/00004583-200303000-00006.
Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401. doi:10.1177/014662167700100306.
Renner, L. M. (2009). Intimate partner violence victimization and parenting stress: Assessing the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Violence Against Women, 15(11), 1380–1401. doi:10.1177/1077801209346712.
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal vs. external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80(1), 1–28.
Ruscio, A. M. (2001). Predicting the child-rearing practices of mothers sexually abused in childhood. Child Abuse and Neglect, 25(3), 369–387. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(00)00252-0.
Schuetze, P., & Eiden, R. D. (2005). The relationship between sexual abuse during childhood and parenting outcomes: Modeling direct and indirect pathways. Child Abuse and Neglect, 29(6), 645–659. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.11.004.
Silver, E. J., Heneghan, A. M., Bauman, L. J., & Stein, R. E. K. (2006). The relationship of depressive symptoms to parenting competence and social support in inner-city mothers of young children. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 10(1), 105–112. doi:10.1007/s10995-005-0024-4.
Sofronoff, K., & Farbotko, M. (2002). The effectiveness of parent management training to increase self-efficacy in parents of children with Asperger syndrome. Autism, 6(3), 271–286. doi:10.1177/1362361302006003005.
Straus, M. A. (1979). Measuring intrafamily conflict and violence: The Conflict Tactics (CT) Scales. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 41(1), 75–88. doi:10.2307/351733.
Straus, M. A., & Douglas, E. M. (2004). A short form of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, and typologies for severity and mutuality. Violence and Victims, 19(5), 507–520. doi:10.1891/vivi.19.5.507.63686.
Taylor, C. A., Guterman, N. B., Lee, S. J., & Rathouz, P. J. (2009). Intimate partner violence, maternal stress, nativity, and risk for maternal maltreatment of young children. American Journal of Public Health, 99(1), 175–183. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.126722.
Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., & Ormrod, R. (2010). The effects of adolescent victimization on self-concept and depressive symptoms. Child Maltreatment, 15(1), 76–90. doi:10.1177/1077559509349444.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). Mother’s day: May 13, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/cb12ff-08_mothersday.pdf.
Vondra, J., Sysko, H. B., & Belsky, J. (2005). Developmental origins of parenting: Personality and relationship factors. In T. Luster & L. Okagaki (Eds.), Parenting: An ecological perspective (2nd ed., pp. 35–71). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Zuravin, S. J., & Fontanella, C. (1999). Parenting behaviors and perceived parenting competence of child sexual abuse survivors. Child Abuse and Neglect, 23(7), 623–632. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00045-9.
Acknowledgments
The data used in this publication were made available by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, and have been used by permission. Data from the Parenting Among Women Sexually Abused in Childhood, 1998 study, were originally collected by Mary I. Benedict, Dr. PH., M.S.W. Funding for this study was provided by the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Contract #90-CA-1544. Neither the collector of the original data, the funder, the Archive, Cornell University, or its agents or employees bear any responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Renner, L.M., Cavanaugh, C.E. & Easton, S.D. Pathways Linking Victimization, Depression, Personal Mastery, and Perceptions of Parenting Competence Among Low-Income Women. J Child Fam Stud 24, 2817–2826 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0086-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0086-2