Abstract

Research suggests that following an incidence of IPV, mothers who receive adequate support are more likely to demonstrate improved mental health (Anderson & van Ee, 2018). Healthier mothers are better able to parent their young children (Andreson & van Ee, 2018), which then encourages developmentally appropriate socio-emotional behaviors in their young children. Generally, it is understood that experiences of IPV during childhood can increase the chances of IPV victimization, among other negative outcomes, in adolescence and adulthood (Priestley, 2014); thereby, contributing to the intergenerational cycle of IPV. The purpose of this study was to examine a theoretical integration connecting the variables mothers' history of IPV, maternal mental health symptoms, parenting behaviors, mother-child relationship, and young child behavior problems. This study included three separate sub-studies, examining different relationships between the variables. Results indicated maternal mental health did not mediate the relationship between mothers' IPV experiences and their parenting behaviors. However, findings suggested parent-child relationship quality mediated the relationship between mothers' IPV experiences and young child behavior problems. Findings also indicated that together parenting behaviors and parent-child relationship quality mediate the relationship between maternal mental health and young child behavior problems. This study highlights the importance of identifying factors that may play a role in mitigating the effects of IPV on future generations. Because research on the relationships between mothers' history of IPV, maternal mental health symptoms, parenting behaviors, parent-child relationship, and young child behavior problems is limited, further research will allow for a better understanding of the relationships between these constructs.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Paulson, Daniel

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Psychology; Clinical Psychology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008538; DP0024214

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0024214

Language

English

Release Date

5-15-2024

Length of Campus-only Access

3 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

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