Children of Battered Women: Developmental and Learning Profiles

• Published in: Clinical pediatrics 1991-05, Vol.30 (5), p.299-304
• Main Authors: Wildin, Susan R., Williamson, W. Daniel, Wilson, Geraldine S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Abuse - complications; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Behavior Disorders - epidemiology; Child Behavior Disorders - etiology; Child development; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities - epidemiology; Developmental Disabilities - etiology; Developmental psychology; Educational Measurement; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prevalence; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Spouse Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0009-9228; 1938-2707
• DOI: 10.1177/000992289103000507

Children in battered women's shelters have been shown to have more behavior problems than their peers but limited information is available about their development. A pilot survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of developmental or academic problems in children of residents of a battered women's shelter. Demographic data, medical and school histories and responses to standardized developmental or behavioral surveys were obtained from 39 mothers of 76 children. Two-thirds of the children were victims of abuse. On the Minnesota Child Development Inventory, the mean General Developmental Quotient (DQ) of 28 preschool children was 98; however, 39% had developmental delays by test criteria. Of 46 school-aged children, 21 (46%) had evidence of academic problems, including grade repetition, failing grades and need for special educational services. On the Louisville Behavior Checklist, 75% of 48 children had behavior problems. Children in a battered women's shelter are likely to experience academic and behavioral problems; however, further study is needed to elucidate etiological factors.