Abstract
More than 15 million children are eyewitnesses to intimate partner violence (IPV) each year. IPV is associated with higher levels of both externalizing and internalizing problems and places children at a greater risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who are not exposed. As previous studies have not included a range of ethno-racial groups in their samples of children exposed to IPV, using standardized measures, the present study examines posttraumatic stress symptoms and PTSD diagnoses in four different ethno-racial groups of children, ages 4–6, who witnessed IPV in the last 2 years. Data are derived from interviews with 144 mothers with children participating in a study of the efficacy of an IPV intervention program. Results show high levels of traumatic stress symptoms and PTSD diagnoses (45 %) among the total sample, with significant differences by sex and ethno-racial group. Biracial and Latina females had the highest rates of PTSD relative to other groups. Greater exposure to IPV predicted more extensive PTSD symptoms.
