Abstract
The current dissertation examined the relation between trauma and negative life events in adulthood and parenting behavior of mothers, as well as mediating and moderating factors. Maternal negative life events and exposure to IPV were hypothesized to predict less positive parenting, more detached and negative parenting. Maternal depressive and PTSD symptoms were hypothesized to mediate this relationship; and potential resilience factors, including social support, approaching coping style, familism, and spirituality were hypothesized to buffer the impact of negative life events and IPV. Data used in this study were collected from a sample of 127 mothers, who were part of the Community Child Health Network (CCHN) and follow-up study in collaboration with Dr. Mahrer at University of La Verne and Dr. Dunkel Schetter at University of California, Los Angeles. The variables were measured from pregnancy through four to five years post-childbirth. Results showed that IPV predicted increased detached parenting, increased negative parenting, and reduced positive parenting four to five years later. Negative life events in adulthood did not predict parenting. Depressive and PTSD symptoms did not mediate the relationships between IPV and parenting variables. The tested resilience factors did not buffer the impact of negative life events either. The current findings highlighted the long-term significant impact of IPV on parenting over other stressors, and the limitations of social support, approach coping style, familism, and spirituality in alleviating the impacts. IPV prevention efforts are, therefore, important in reducing the risks of IPV and its subsequent detrimental effects on parenting.