Family violence exposure and associated risk factors for child PTSD in a Mexican sample

Kara S. Erolin, Elizabeth Wieling, R. Elizabeth Aguilar Parra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was undertaken in an effort to help illuminate the deleterious effects of traumatic stress on children and families in Mexico. Rates of exposure to traumatic events, family and community violence, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were investigated in 87 school-age children and their mothers. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine potential family and ecological risk factors for the presence of child PTSD. A total of 51 children (58.6%) reported an event that met the DSM-IV A criteria, and 36 children (41.4%; 20 boys and 16 girls) met criteria for full PTSD. Traumatic exposure in this sample was considerable, particularly intense, and chronic as a result of interpersonal violence in the home and community. Results support the need for preventive systemic interventions targeting the individual level, parent-child dyadic level, and the larger cultural and community context.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1011-1022
Number of pages12
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported in part by Centro de Investigacíon Familiar, A.C. Monterrey, N.L. MX ; and the Department of Child Protective Services, Monterrey, NL, Mexico .

Keywords

  • Children
  • Family violence
  • Mexico
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Risk factors

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