https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Rancher2024

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.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106596

Trauma
Child maltreatment
Children

Navy

Active Duty

Child of a service member or veteran

Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)

Longitudinal Study

Rancher, Caitlin, Hanson, Rochelle, Williams, Linda M., Saunders, Benjamin E., Smith, Daniel W.

Background Although children's self-blame appraisals are recognized as important sequelae of child victimization that contribute to subsequent adjustment problems, little is known about the factors that predict their development and longitudinal course. Objective The current study examines the stability and longitudinal predictors of children's self-blame appraisals among a sample of children reported for family violence. Participants and setting Children (N = 195; 63 % female) aged 7 to 17 years (Mage = 12.17) were recruited as part of a longitudinal assessment of families referred to the United States Navy's Family Advocacy Program due to allegations of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, or intimate partner violence. Methods Children completed assessments on self-blame at 3 time points (baseline, 9–12 months, and 18–24 months) and baseline measures of their victimization experience, caregiver-child conflict, and depression. Results In univariate analyses, victimization that involved injury (r = 0.29, p < .001), the number of perpetrators (r = 0.23, p = .001), the number of victimization types (r = 0.32, p < .001), caregiver-child conflict (r = 0.36, p < .001), and depression (r = 0.39, p < .001) were each positively associated with baseline self-blame. When examined in a single longitudinal multilevel model, results indicated only caregiver-child conflict (b = 0.08, p = .007) and baseline depression (b = 0.06, p = .013) predicted increases in self-blame. Conclusion Findings suggest clinicians and researchers may consider assessment of victimization characteristics, caregiver-child relationships, and depression symptoms to identify children most at risk for developing self-blame appraisals.

Article
REACH Publication

self-blame, military families, family violence

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213423005847

Research Summary

  April 2024