Longitudinal predictors of children's self-blame appraisals among military families reported for family violence

Rancher, C., Hanson, R., Williams, L. M., Saunders, B. E., & Smith, D. W. (2024). Longitudinal predictors of children’s selfblame appraisals among military families reported for family violence. Child Abuse & Neglect, 147, Article 106596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106596

This study examined individual and family factors related to children’s selfblame tendencies. Longitudinal data were gathered from 195 children aged 7-17 whose families were reported to the Navy’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) for alleged child abuse or intimate partner violence. At baseline, children reported their self-blame tendencies (e.g., Do you blame yourself when things go wrong?), the frequency of parent-child conflict (e.g., yelling, threatening), and depressive symptoms. A semi-structured interview was used to further assess children’s victimization experiences (e.g., type, injury, number of perpetrators). Baseline data were collected 2-6 weeks after the initial report; self-blame was reported again after 9–12 months and 18–24 months. In general, children who reported higher levels of parent-child conflict and depressive symptoms at baseline expressed increased self-blame over the next 2 years.

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