Kids' perception of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms

Washington, March 30 (ANI): A new study by researchers in the US has suggested that if kids feel threatened by even very low levels of violence between their parents, they may be at increased risk for developing trauma symptoms.

The research showed that children who witness violence between their mother and her intimate partner report fewer trauma symptoms if they don't perceive the violence as threatening.

"Our results indicated a relation between children's perception of threat and their trauma symptoms in a community sample reporting relatively low levels of violence," said Deborah Corbitt-Shindler, a doctoral candidate in the psychology department at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

"The results of the study suggest that even very low levels of violence, if interpreted as threatening by children, can influence the development of trauma symptoms in children," Deborah added.

The study of 532 children and their mothers looked at the link between intimate partner violence and trauma symptoms in children. The families were recruited from communities in the urban Dallas area.

The researchers presented their findings February 24 at the "National Summit on Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan: Forging a Shared Agenda" in Dallas. (ANI)