PSYCH 7 Children's Exposure to IPV

1. Children’s Exposure to IPV: A Study on The
Long-Term Effects in Young Adulthood
Ali Garcia
Alondra Lua
Jessica Parra
Psych 7- Research Methods, Prof. Buckley

2. ABSTRACT
 Our Research Topic: Is exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) linked to higher
levels of trauma symptoms in young adulthood?
 Hypothesis: Young adults exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) as children
will report higher levels of trauma symptoms when compared to young adults who
were not exposed to IPV as children
 This is an important topic because children suffer when they are surrounded by
violence in their home. Exposure to violence evidently will lead to changes in
lifestyles and future relationships.
 This research was done because it was important to us to have a better
understanding on the effects (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, etc.) of exposure to
violence as children and how this type of exposure affects them in their later life.
 Childhood exposure to IPV affects many children every year and is considered a
public health issue (Galano, M; Grogan-kaylor, A; Clark, H; Liendo, N; Graham-
bermann, S. (2016).

3. INTRO
 Children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) when parents or their
parent’s partners engage in violent behavior (i.e., physical, sexual, verbal
aggression).
 Exposure to IPV as a child has been indicated to show signs of emotional and
psychological damage. Past studies have shown that children who have been
exposed to IPV will display behaviors of aggression, fear, anxiety, stress, and
symptoms of trauma. (Huang, Vikse, Lu, & Yi, (2015).
 Children who were exposed to intimate partner violence in their family home were
likely to develop negative and persistent long-term effects.
 Research has also suggested that exposure to IPV during childhood increased the
chances of getting involved in violent intimate relationships in young
adulthood(Kaukinen, Buchanan, & Gover, 2015).

4. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS
 PARTICIPANTS:
 The recruitment of participants were done in person as well as online via Google Forms; they
took part in two surveys (Family Experience Scale & a Symptoms survey).
 A total of 20 participants were included in this study.
 Participants did not significantly differ in age (ages ranged between early twenties and early
thirties). Out of the 20 participants, 11 (55%) were male and 9 (45%) were female.
 METHODS:
 Participants were given the survey in person or via Google Forms to complete online.
 Participants completed a 19 question Family Experience Scale (similar to an altered Conflict
Tactics Scale) to measure if they were exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) as children.
This scale was rated in the form of a Likert-type Scale.
 Participants also completed a 20 question Symptoms survey that measured trauma symptoms
(e.g., having any distressing memories, emotional distress when reminded of the violent
event, avoiding people/places that may remind them of that event, etc.). This survey was also
rated in the form of a Likert-type Scale.

5. RESULTS
 In our research we explored exposure of intimate partner violence as children. We
found that trauma symptoms were moderate to high no matter how low or high
their exposure to IPV was.
 Among the participants, when scoring exposure to IPV as children 40% scored low
exposure, 15% scored moderate exposure, and 45% scored high exposure.
 When scoring trauma symptoms, 35% of participants scored low, 45% scored
moderate, and 20% scored high.

6. DISCUSSION
 In doing this study, our biggest setback was our sample size (n=20) being too
small.
 Participants found it convenient to fill out surveys online (30%), however, for
anonymous purposes 70% chose to complete the two surveys (Family Experience
Scale & Symptoms survey) in person.
 The purpose of this study was to find out if exposure to IPV as children was linked
to higher levels of trauma symptoms. Based on the collected data we discovered
that exposure to IPV was linked to trauma symptoms in young adulthood.

7. REFERENCES
● Adams, T., Handley, E., Warmingham, J., Manly, J., & Cicchetti, D. (2021). Patterns of Dating Violence Moderate the Effect of Child Maltreatment on Suicide Risk
among Disadvantaged Minority Female Adolescents with Depressive Symptoms. Journal of Family Violence, 36 (1), 5-16. Retrieved from:
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2473254352/58551162A1044E34PQ/7
● Cater, A., & Sjogren, J. (2016). Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence Describe Their Experiences: A Typology-Based Qualitative Analysis. Child & Adolescent
Social Work Journal, 33 (6), 473-486. Retrieved from: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1833158662/81B66A93B88A4484PQ/17?accountid=39629
● D'andrea, W., & Graham-Berman, S. (2017). Social Context and Violence Exposure as Predictors of Internalizing Symptoms in Mothers and Children Exposed to Intimate
Partner Violence. Journal of Family Violence, 32 (2), 145-155. Retrieved from:
https://www.proquest.com/docview/1865250008/81B66A93B88A4484PQ/6?accountid=39629
● Galano, M., Grogan-kaylor, A., Clark, H., Liendo, N., & Graham-Berman, S. (2016). Conflict Appraisals in a Multiethnic Sample of Children Exposed to Intimate Partner
Violence. Journal of Family Violence, 31 (5), 655-665. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1794490951/1F3461E44478458FPQ/9?accountid=39629
● Graham-Bermann, S., Gruber, G., Howell, K., Girz, L. (2009). Factors Discriminating Among Profiles of Resilience and Psychopathology in Children Exposed to Intimate
Partner Violence (IPV). Child Abuse and Neglect, 33 (9), 648-660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.01.002
● Huang, C; Vikse,J; Lu, S.; & Yi, S. (2015) Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Early Delinquency. Journal of Family Violence, 30 (8), 953-965. Retrieved
from: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1722360971/81B66A93B88A4484PQ/13?accountid=39629
● Kaukien, C; Buchanan, L; & Gover, A (2015) Child Abuse and the Experience of Violence in College Dating Relationships: Examining the Moderating Effect of Gender and
Race. Journal of Family Violence, 30 (8), 1079-1092. Retrieved from: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1722360987/58551162A1044E34PQ/19

8. GRAPH
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0.5
1
1.5
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4.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Trauma Symptoms