title: Children of battered women: developmental and learning profiles.
abstract: Children in battered women's shelters have been shown to have more behavior problems than their peers but limited information is available about their development. A pilot survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of developmental or academic problems in children of residents of a battered women's shelter. Demographic data, medical and school histories and responses to standardized developmental or behavioral surveys were obtained from 39 mothers of 76 children. Two-thirds of the children were victims of abuse. On the Minnesota Child Development Inventory, the mean General Developmental Quotient (DQ) of 28 preschool children was 98; however, 39% had developmental delays by test criteria. Of 46 school-aged children, 21 (46%) had evidence of academic problems, including grade repetition, failing grades and need for special educational services. On the Louisville Behavior Checklist, 75% of 48 children had behavior problems. Children in a battered women's shelter are likely to experience academic and behavioral problems; however, further study is needed to elucidate etiological factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wildin
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology