| Children
who witness their mothers being abused can experience
a variety of behavior problems, including anxiety,
withdrawal, depression, and aggression, say researchers
from the University of Texas-Houston Medical School
in Houston, Texas.
Researchers surveyed 258 mothers who had been abused
and 72 nonabused mothers as part of a study on treatment
of abused women. All of the moms had kids between
the ages of 18 months and 18 years old. Mothers
noted the types of assaults that had occurred within
the past 12 months, and they completed a comprehensive
survey of their children's behavior. The child behavior
survey asked questions about internalizing behaviors,
such as anxiety and depression, withdrawal, and
physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.
Mothers also reported whether their children showed
externalizing behaviors, such as aggression, attention
problems, or rule breaking.
Children of abused moms had more internalizing problems,
more externalizing problems, and more behavior problems
overall than children of nonabused moms. These behaviors,
especially depression, withdrawal, and anxiety,
place a child at higher risk for suicide.
What This Means to You: A child who is exposed to
domestic violence is at risk for behavioral problems,
even if he or she isn't directly being abused. Both
children and parents in abusive families need help.
If you are being abused, call (800) 799-7233 to
reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline or
talk to your doctor or your child's doctor about
what to do.
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