Aggression by Children Exposed to IPV: Exploring the Role of Child Depressive Symptoms, Trauma-Related Symptoms, & Warmth in Family Relationships

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Aggression

This study of college undergraduates (N = 873) examined three hypotheses regarding associations between childhood sexual abuse and lifetime aggression: 1) childhood sexual abuse was expected to account for unshared variance in the lifetime aggression indicators after controlling for the potential effects of parental physical abuse, sibling physical abuse, exposure to intimate partner violence, peer bullying, and respondent age; 2) childhood sexual abuse associations were expected to be relatively stronger among the women than the men; 3) childhood sexual abuse links to lifetime aggression were expected to vary as a function of age of victimization (adolescent < childhood < dual-age victims). Aggression histories varied widely with over 20% reporting prior injuries inflicted on others (3.2% > five injuries). Sexual abuse links to aggression tended to be stronger (p < .001) for the women than the men, and rates of aggression were higher when sexual abuse recurred across both childhood and adolescence. Partial support was found for all three hypotheses.

Parent- and Sibling-Directed Aggression in Children of Domestic Violence Victims

This study examines the nature of parent- and sibling-directed aggression and involvement in other victimization among children living with female caregivers in a domestic violence shelter. Caregivers were interviewed about their children's (N = 79; M_age = 9.0 years) parent- and sibling-directed aggression. Physical and verbal aggression and emotional blackmail were the most common forms of aggression against caregivers. Physical and verbal aggression were most common against siblings. No age or gender differences in aggression characteristics were found. A large minority of children displayed both parent- and sibling-directed aggression. Children exhibiting parent- or sibling-directed aggression were significantly more likely to be victimized. Findings highlight the importance of incorporating parent- and sibling-directed aggression into definitions of family violence and recognizing children can be victims and victimizers.

Parental reactions to parent- and sibling-directed aggression within a domestic violence context

Parent- and sibling-directed aggression by minor children are two forms of family violence that often co-occur and have strong relations to prior exposure to domestic violence, yet are often overlooked in intervention efforts. In addition, current research does not examine these forms of family violence in tandem, and there is very limited research with samples exposed to domestic violence. To better understand how these forms of aggression operate within a domestic violence context, we interviewed 44 women residing in a domestic violence shelter with at least one child over 3.5 years of age who was aggressive toward them and/or siblings. Caregivers reported on their emotional reactions to children's parent-directed aggression and the types of and effectiveness of help they sought for parent- and/or sibling-directed aggression. In line with previous literature, caregivers endorsed a complex mix of emotional reactions to their children's parent-directed aggression, including anger, sadness, guilt, forgiveness, and worthlessness. In contrast to other studies, most caregivers (89%) had sought help for children's parent- and/or sibling-directed aggression and found it effective. Findings contribute to the literature on parent- and sibling-directed aggression and provide implications for how to effectively intervene.