215739 Linking Adult Intimate Partner Violence in California with Children's Emotional and Behavioral Functioning

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Elaine Zahnd, PhD , Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
May Aydin, PhD , Center for Health Policy Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
David Grant, PhD , School of Public Health, Center for Health Policy Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Sue Holtby, MPH , Public Health Institute, Santa Cruz, CA
In 2007, nearly four million Californians reported experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) since turning 18. Recent IPV affects children's emotional health, however, child mental well-being remains largely unexplored among IPV households.

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2007) data were analyzed to identify patterns of child emotional and behavioral difficulties (ages 4-11)in households with and without adult IPV histories(ages 18-65; n=4916).

Bivariate analyses compare parent-reported child MH indicators in households with IPV histories (n=1132) and without IPV (n=3784), and by demographics. Measures include modified CTS items about intimate physical or sexual violence since 18, and a shortened Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) indicating abnormal or borderline scores for child emotional or behavioral difficulties. T-tests and logistic regression were conducted.

Approximately one fourth of adults in households with children reported being an IPV victim since age 18. Among the 10% of children with emotional/behavior difficulties, 38% resided in IPV-households compared to 22% residing in non-IPV households, a significant difference [t(473)=4.54, p<0.0001)]. Logistic regression model results indicate that IPV history (OR=1.8), being male(OR=1.6), and being poor (0-99% FPL, OR=2.5) significantly increased the odds of having childhood emotional or behavioral dysfunction, whereas children in married households (OR=.65)were less likely to have abnormal or borderline scores (p=0.0000). Race was not an explanatory factor. Because children may suffer from long-term consequences of parent's IPV trauma, providers should screen for IPV and child emotional/behavioral health status in pediatric settings in order to intervene and refer to needed services.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the extent to which IPV lifetime prevalence rates among California's diverse population impacts young children's emotional and behavioral difficulties. 2. Describe gender, income and racial/ethnic differences in children's risk for emotional or behavioral difficulties between households with and without adult IPV in California.

Keywords: Adult and Child Mental Health, Domestic Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in public health for over 25 years, have been an academic and public health researcher for over 40 years, and have presented many papers at APHA since 1990, have authored public health papers in a number of journals, and currently work as an independent principal investigator for the Public Health Institute in Oakland, CA, working on mental health, substance abuse, maternal and child health issues.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.