N2c

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIOLENCE EXPOSURE AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS AMONG CHILDREN REFERRED TO CHILD WELFARE

Presenters: Michael Hurlburt

Abstract Category:

Instruction Level: Beginner

Presentation: Not Provided

Description:      

This paper examines rates of self-reported violence exposure and post-traumatic stress symptoms among children 8-14 referred to child welfare.

Abstract:

Purpose: Children referred to child welfare are at high risk for exposure to violence in the home environment.  This may take the form of victimization or exposure to violence as a witness.  Using a nationally representative sample of children referred to child welfare, this paper examines self-reported exposure to violence of children 8-14 referred to child welfare and the relationship between type and extent of self-reported violence exposure and post-traumatic stress symptomatology.  Differences in rates of violence exposure, and in the relationship between violence exposure and post-traumatic stress symptoms, were examined as a function of child age, gender, type of abuse, and level of child welfare involvement post investigation.  Methods:  Data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being were analyzed, utilizing children's self-report of exposure to violence and post-traumatic stress symptoms.  Results:  Self-reported exposure to violence was similar across levels of child welfare involvement and had strong relationships with post-traumatic stress symptoms, whereas type of abuse identified in case records did not.  For comparable levels of reported exposure to violence, younger children reported higher rates of post traumatic stress symptoms.  Conclusions:  As a group, children referred to child welfare have high rates of exposure to violence.  Extent of exposure to less severe forms of violence, and direct victimization, are more predictive of post-traumatic stress symptoms than reported exposure to severe forms of violence.  Although most children remain at home following a child welfare investigation, rates of violence exposure and clinically significant post-traumatic stress, based on child report, are as high among children remaining at home as among children removed from their homes.  Younger children may also have more significant reactions than older children to comparable levels of violence exposure.