An Exploration of Trauma History Among Juvenile Perpetrators of Family Violence

Background and Purpose:

Very little research has been conducted on the role of traumatic stress in juvenile perpetration of family violence. Exposure to traumatic stress places youth at risk for internalizing behaviors (i.e. anxiety and depression) and externalizing behaviors (i.e. aggression). The current study explored the prevalence of childhood traumatic stress in a sample of youth who have been arrested for domestic battery against a parent (child-to-parent violence).  This study also looked at the relationship between childhood traumatic stress and internalizing behaviors such as depression and anxiety, specifically looking at the mediating influence of the threat appraisal of the traumatic stress.

Methods:

The mediating influence of threat appraisal on the trauma-internalizing behaviors link was tested with a convenience sample of ninety-five (N=95) families seeking services through a diversionary program for family violence.  The sample included 52% males, 35% Black and 17% Hispanic youth, the average age was 15 years old and a majority (78%) of reported victims were youths’ mothers.  Families were recruited during the intake process into the diversionary program. Instruments included the program intake form, the RCADS-Short Version (Chorpita et al., 2000), and the Life Events Inventory, a 27-item instrument created for the purpose of the study that expands on traditional trauma assessment tools to include a broader range of stressful childhood experiences.  Threat appraisal was informed by Folkman and Lazarus’ (1984) appraisal theory by asking how unpleasant the stressful experience was based on a 4 point scale.  A total threat appraisal score is achieved by summing all threat appraisal responses. 

Results:

Participants reported an average 10 stressful childhood experiences (range 1-22).  In response to threat appraisal, the greatest threat appraisal experiences included sexual abuse and parental absence. To test the first conceptual model based on appraisal theory, cumulative childhood stress significantly predicted depression (b=.40, p<.001) and threat appraisal (b=1.88, p<.001); threat appraisal significantly predicted depression (b=.18), p<.01).  In the 2^nd model, cumulative childhood stress significantly predicted anxiety (b=.36, p<.01) and threat appraisal (b=.1.88, p<.001); threat appraisal significantly predicted anxiety (b=.18), p<.05).  Cumulative childhood stress was no longer a predictor for depression or anxiety after controlling for the mediator, threat appraisal, consistent with full mediation.  The indirect effect was tested using a bootstrap estimation approach and the indirect coefficient was found to be significant for depression (ab=.21, p<.01, 95% CI: .06 to .37) and anxiety (ab=.17, p<.05, 95% CI=.03 to .34). 

Conclusions and Implications:

This study reported high prevalence rates of childhood traumatic stress in child-to-parent violence.  Cumulative childhood stress was associated with more depression and anxiety when mediated by threat appraisal, underscoring the significant role that perception of childhood traumatic experiences has on internalizing behaviors.  This study notably adds to our understanding of the multiple pathways connecting childhood traumatic experiences and depression and anxiety among a difficult to treat youth population.  The presentation will explore trauma informed strategies for tailoring intervention efforts to meet the needs of youth and families who are impacted by childhood traumatic stress and subsequent child-to-parent violence.