Abstract

The present study sought to investigate whether adolescents who witness marital violence may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and if so, which factors contribute to PTSD. Proponents of constructivist self-development theory have proposed that factors such as cognitive schemata, social support, family environment, and previous victimizations all play a role in the development of PTSD following traumatic exposure. In order to test this model in adolescents who witnessed marital violence, the following variables were assessed in college students: current PTSD symptoms, cognitive schemata, high school social support and high school family environment, violence in the home during high school, and history of early victimization. Of the 318 subjects, 91 reported witnessing at least one act of marital violence during their last two years of high school. The hypothesis that subjects who reported witnessing acts of family violence would report more symptoms of PTSD than subjects who did not report witnessing acts of violence was not supported by the data. Although an initial LISREL analysis based on the above model did not provide an adequate fit of the data, subsequent modifications resulted in an improved fit and provided support for the hypothesis that PTSD in witnesses of family violence is mediated by family environment, social support, cognitive schemata and early victimization. A third hypothesis of a relationship between cognitive schemata, family environment, and social support was supported. Implications of results and directions for future research are discussed