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The mediating role of well-being at school in the association between family violence and psychosocial problems

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  • van Loon-Dikkers, Anna L.C.
  • Luijk, Maartje P.C.M.
  • de Haan, Amaranta D.
  • Steketee, Majone J.

Abstract

Family violence (i.e. child abuse and neglect, and intimate partner violence) can have a detrimental impact on children’s development. It often leads to psychosocial problems and can also negatively affect children’s well-being at school (i.e. school connectedness, well-being with teachers, and well-being with classmates). Lower well-being at school may further exacerbate the development of psychosocial problems. The current study examines the mediating role of well-being at school in the relationship between exposure to and frequency of family violence and psychosocial problems. Participants were 774 Dutch children aged 8–18 years (M age = 11.95; 53.6 % female), with 270 children exposed to family violence and 504 children not exposed to family violence. Children (and their parents) completed questionnaires on family violence, well-being at school and psychosocial problems. Mediation analyses within a Structural Equation Modeling framework revealed that well-being at school appeared to mediate the association between exposure to family violence and psychosocial problems (β = -0.07, p < 0.001). Well-being at school did not mediate the association between frequency of family violence and psychosocial problems within the group of children exposed to family violence (β = 0.07, p = 0.11). The results suggest that exposure to family violence, regardless of the number of incidents, has a negative impact on children’s well-being at school, which in turn can negatively affect their psychosocial functioning. This study acknowledges the importance of ending family violence and improving children’s well-being at school.

Suggested Citation

  • van Loon-Dikkers, Anna L.C. & Luijk, Maartje P.C.M. & de Haan, Amaranta D. & Steketee, Majone J., 2025. "The mediating role of well-being at school in the association between family violence and psychosocial problems," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s0190740924006613
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Fenfang & Godinet, Meripa T., 2014. "The impact of repeated maltreatment on behavioral trajectories from early childhood to early adolescence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 22-29.
    2. Emily Widnall & Lizzy Winstone & Ruth Plackett & Emma A. Adams & Claire M. A. Haworth & Becky Mars & Judi Kidger, 2022. "Impact of School and Peer Connectedness on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Panel Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, June.
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