Bidirectional associations between well-being at school, psychosocial problems and PTSS in children exposed to family violence

Abstract

Background

Children exposed to family violence are more likely to have lower well-being at school, more psychosocial problems and more post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than children not exposed.

Objective

We examined whether well-being at school, psychosocial problems, and PTSS affect each other over time in children exposed to family violence.

Participants

and Setting: 332 Dutch children aged 8–17 years exposed to family violence (and their parents) who were reached through child protection services (CPS).

Methods

Participants completed questionnaires on well-being at school, psychosocial problems, PTSS, and family violence shortly after being reported to CPS and again one year later. A cross-lagged panel model was conducted to examine the relationships between well-being at school, psychosocial problems, and PTSS over time.

Findings

PTSS at Time 1 predicted psychosocial problems at Time 2 (β = .14, p < .05), no other cross-lagged effects were significant. Lower well-being at school was concurrently associated with more psychosocial problems and more PTSS at both time points, and more psychosocial problems was also concurrently associated with more PTSS at both occasions.

Conclusion

More PTSS in children exposed to violence appears to be related to more psychosocial problems one year later. The concurrent associations between lower well-being at school, more psychosocial problems and more PTSS at both time points, suggest that these aspects do not appear to be independent, but rather interrelated and co-developing over time. The results highlight the importance of paying attention to children's well-being at school among children exposed to family violence.