Abstract
The association between mother-reported child adjustment problems and group therapists’ ratings of resilience was evaluated in preschool-aged children who reside in homes where intimate partner violence (IPV) is present. Multiple reporters’ evaluations of resilience were assessed to determine how young children display resilience at home and in treatment. Reporters were mothers and child therapists who evaluated resilience in 52 preschoolers who lived in households where IPV occurs. Group therapists’ ratings of resilience were negatively correlated with children’s externalizing behavior problems. Findings indicated poor rater agreement between mothers and group therapists on some aspects of resilience. Evaluations differed based on demographic factors, with the most variability in resilience by child age. Given the lack of research on this topic and the common practice of only one informant supplying most of the data used in studies of child functioning, the current study provides unique information by comparing multiple reports across settings.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the child behavior checklist: 4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.
Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1983). Manual for the child behavior checklist and revised child behavior profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.
Agaibi, C. E., & Wilson, J. P. (2005). Trauma, PTSD, and resilience: a review of the literature. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 6(3), 195–216.
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group (CPPRG) (2002). Psychometric properties of the social competence scale- teacher and parent ratings. Fast Track Project Technical Report. [Available at http://www.fasttrackproject.org]
Crick, N. R., & Dodge, K. A. (1994). A review and reformulation of social information processing mechanisms in children’s social adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 115(1), 74–101.
Edleson, J. L. (2001). Studying the co-occurrence of child maltreatment and domestic violence in families. In S. A. Graham-Bermann & J. L. Edleson (Eds.), Domestic violence in the lives of children: The future of research, intervention, and social policy (pp. 91–110). Washington: American Psychological Association.
Fantuzzo, J. W., DePaola, L. M., Lambert, L., Martino, T., Anderson, G., & Sutton, S. (1991). Effects of interparental violence on the psychological adjustment and competencies of young children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(2), 258–265.
Fantuzzo, J., & Fusco, R. (2007). Children's direct sensory exposure to substantiated domestic violence crimes. Violence and Victims, 22(2), 158–171.
Frigerio, A., Cattaneo, C., Cataldo, M., Achiatti, A., Molteni, M., & Battaglia, M. (2004). Behavioral and emotional problems among Italian children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years as reported by parents and teachers. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 20(2), 124–133.
Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2011). Evidence-based practices for school-age children exposed to IPV and an evaluation of The Kids* Club Program. In S. A. Graham-Bermann & A. A. Levendosky (Eds.), How intimate partner violence affects children: developmental research, case studies, and evidence-based treatment (pp. 179–206). Washington: American Psychological Association Books.
Graham-Berman, S. A., DeVoe, E. R., Mattis, J. S., Lynch, S., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Ecological predictors of traumatic stress symptoms in Caucasian and ethnic minority children exposed to intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 12(7), 1–30.
Graham-Bermann, S. A., Lynch, S., Banyard, V., DeVoe, E., & Halabu, H. (2007). Community-based intervention for children exposed to intimate partner violence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(2), 199–209.
Graham-Bermann, S. A., & Perkins, S. C. (2010). Effects of early exposure and lifetime exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) on child adjustment. Violence and Victims, 25(4), 427–439.
Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: an integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299.
Grych, J. H., Jouriles, E. N., Swank, P. R., McDonald, R., & Norwood, W. D. (2000). Patterns of adjustment among children of battered women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(1), 84–94.
Howell, K. H., Graham-Bermann, S. A., Czyz, E., & Lilly, M. (2010). Assessing resilience in preschool children exposed to intimate partner violence. Violence and Victims, 25(2), 150–164.
Hughes, H. M., Graham-Bermann, S. A., & Gruber, G. (2001). Resilience in children exposed to domestic violence. In S. A. Graham-Bermann (Ed.), Domestic violence in the lives of children (pp. 67–90). Washington: American Psychological Association.
Lazenbatt, A. (2010). The impact of abuse and neglect on the health and mental health of children and young people. NSPCC Research briefing. London: NSPCC.
Lehmann, P. (1997). The development of posttraumatic stress disorder in a sample of child witnesses to mother assault. Journal of Family Violence, 12(3), 241–257.
Levendosky, A. A., Huth-Bocks, A. C., Semel, M. A., & Shapiro, D. L. (2002). Trauma symptoms in preschool-age children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(2), 150–164.
Margolin, G., & Gordis, E. B. (2000). The effects of family and community violence on children. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 445–479.
Martinez-Torteya, C., Bogat, G. A., von Eye, A., & Levendosky, A. A. (2009). Resilience among children exposed to domestic violence: the role of risk and protective factors. Child Development, 80(2), 562–577.
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238.
McDonald, R., Jouriles, E. N., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., Caetano, R., & Green, C. E. (2006). Estimating the number of American children living in partner-violent families. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), 137–142.
Merrell, K. W. (1994). Preschool and kindergarten behavior rating scales. Austin: PRO-ED.
Murray, D. W., Kollins, S. H., Hardy, K. K., Swanson, J. M., Vitiello, B., Davies, M., & Abikoff, H. B. (2007). Parent versus teacher ratings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in the preschoolers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment study (PATS). Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 17(5), 605–619.
Rennision, C. (2003). Intimate partner violence, 1993–2001. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, DOJ (US).
Rossman, B. B., Rea, J. G., Butterfield, P. M., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2004). Young children exposed to interparental violence: Incidence assessment and intervention. In P. G. Jaffe, L. L. Baker, & A. Cunningham (Eds.), Protecting children from domestic violence (pp. 30–48). New York: Guilford Press.
Sternberg, K. J., Baradaran, L. P., Abbott, C. B., Lamb, M. E., & Guterman, E. (2006). Type of violence, age, and gender differences in the effects of family violence on children's behavior problems: a mega-analysis. Developmental Review, 26(1), 89–112.
Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington: US Department of Justice.
Winsler, A., & Wallace, G. L. (2002). Behavior problems and social skills in preschool children: parent-teacher agreement and relations with classroom observations. Early Education and Development, 13(1), 41–58.
Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C. V., Lee, V., McIntyre-Smith, A., & Jaffe, P. G. (2003). The effects of children’s exposure to domestic violence: a meta-analysis and critique. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6(3), 171–187.
Youngstrom, E., Loeber, R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (2000). Patterns and correlates of agreement between parent, teacher, and male adolescent ratings of externalizing and internalizing problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 438–450.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howell, K.H., Miller, L.E. & Graham-Bermann, S.A. Inconsistencies in Mothers’ and Group Therapists’ Evaluations of Resilience in Preschool Children who Live in Households with Intimate Partner Violence. J Fam Viol 27, 489–497 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9446-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9446-0