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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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