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Exposure to Domestic and Community Violence in a Nonrisk Sample: Associations With Child Functioning

NCJ Number
237056
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 490-504
Author(s)
Neena M. Malik
Date Published
April 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined relations between children's violence exposure, at home and in the community, and symptoms of externalizing and internalizing problems.
Abstract
Limited data exist on the unique, additive, and interactive effects of exposure to domestic and community violence on children's functioning, particularly in community samples. This study examined relations between children's violence exposure, at home and in the community, and symptoms of externalizing and internalizing problems. Parents reported on domestic violence in the home, and children reported on community violence. Concurrent child functioning was measured through parent and teacher reports on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and child self-reports on the Children's Depression Inventory. A multi-ethnic sample of 117 children, aged 8 to 12 years, and their parents and teachers participated. Community violence was related to all measures of children's adjustment, whereas exposure to domestic violence was related only to CBCL externalizing problems. Teacher reports of child aggression were predicted by child age, community violence, and the interaction of community and domestic violence. Implications for research and clinical intervention are discussed. (Published Abstract)