Witnessing spouse abuse and experiencing physical abuse: a «double whammy?

An investigation into the psychological adjustment of children who have witnessed parental violence, examining the influence of measurement devices on results obtained, distinguishing between internalizing & externalizing behaviors, & assessing the differential influence of age on psychological adjustment. Parent & child self-report data were collected on children who were witnesses to parental violence & children who were witnesses & were also physically abused (N = 44 & 40, respectively, all residents of a battered womens' shelter) & a comparison group (N = 66). Findings indicate that the children's measurements of adjustment were influenced by type of behavior assessed, form of physical violence experienced, & age. Abused/witness children functioned less well on internalizing & externalizing behaviors. Preschool abused children were not less well-adjusted than other children. Discussed are implications for sheltered women & their children, as well as researchers & practitioners in the field of family violence. 2 Tables, 1 Figure, 32 References. C. Grindle