@article{ref1,
title="Problem-solving and mental health outcomes of women and children in the wake of intimate partner violence",
journal="Journal of environmental and public health",
year="2014",
author="Maddoux, John and Symes, Lene and McFarlane, Judith and Koci, Anne and Gilroy, Heidi and Fredland, Nina",
volume="2014",
number="",
pages="708198-708198",
abstract="The environmental stress of intimate partner violence is common and often results in mental health problems of depression, anxiety, and PTSD for women and behavioral dysfunctions for their children. Problem-solving skills can serve to mitigate or accentuate the environmental stress of violence and associated impact on mental health. To better understand the relationship between problem-solving skills and mental health of abused women with children, a cross-sectional predictive analysis of 285 abused women who used justice or shelter services was completed. The women were asked about social problem-solving, and mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD as well as behavioral functioning of their children. Higher negative problem-solving scores were associated with significantly (P < 0.001) greater odds of having clinically significant levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and somatization for the woman and significantly (P < 0.001) greater odds of her child having borderline or clinically significant levels of both internalizing and externalizing behaviors. A predominately negative problem-solving approach was strongly associated with poorer outcomes for both mothers and children in the aftermath of the environmental stress of abuse. Interventions addressing problem-solving ability may be beneficial in increasing abused women's abilities to navigate the daily stressors of life following abuse.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1687-9805",
doi="10.1155/2014/708198",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/708198"
}