Abstract
Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) in the family context has detrimental effects for children’s physical health and psychological adjustment. The current study examined the direct links between IPV and children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems and the indirect effect of coparenting quality as reported by a sample of 79 (80% African American, 11% Latina, and 9% Multiracial/Other), low-income mothers of children aged 2–12 years, the majority of whom were not in a romantic relationship (61%) or cohabitating with their child’s biological father (64%). Results indicated that IPV history was directly associated with higher rates of internalizing behaviors, but not with externalizing behaviors. Coparenting quality mediated the association between IPV and child externalizing and internalizing behaviors, when controlling for parent relationship status, such that IPV history was associated with lower levels of coparenting quality, which was associated with higher rates of child behavior problems. Findings highlight the importance of culturally appropriate self-report measures of coparenting and implications of IPV in racially and ethnically diverse low-income families on child adjustment.
Highlights
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Previous research on IPV, coparenting, and child behavior problems has not been inclusive of low-income, racial/ethnic minority families.
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Coparenting quality mediated the relationship between IPV and children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems.
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The findings were significant in a sample of low-income, racial/ethnic minority mothers who were not necessarily in a relationship or cohabitating with their child’s father.
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Future research should be inclusive of diverse families to inform preventative interventions for at-risk populations.
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All authors contributed to the study design and conceptualization. Rachel M. Kolsky completed data analysis and the first draft of the manuscript. Christina B. Gee was responsible for obtaining study funding, reviewing and editing the manuscript, and supervision.
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This study was funded by support from The George Washington University Columbian College Facilitating Fund.
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The questionnaire and methodology for this study was approved by the Office of Human Research of The George Washington University (Protocol #051404).
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The questionnaire and methodology for this study was approved by the Office of Human Research of The George Washington University (Protocol #051404).
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Kolsky, R.M., Gee, C.B. Coparenting Quality Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Child Behavior Problems in Low-income, Racial and Ethnic Minority Families. J Child Fam Stud 30, 2129–2140 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02001-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02001-6