Examining maternal nurturance as a moderator between exposure to violence and mental health outcomes

Previous research supports a link between witnessing violence and mental health outcomes similar to those experienced by victims of violence or trauma (Margolin & Gordis, 2000). Research has also shown that social support serves as a protective mechanism to those who have experienced or witnessed violence (Charuvastra & Cloitre, 2008; Margolin & Gordis 2004). The current study examined social support specifically defined as maternal nurturance, the perceived affective quality of parenting that young people received while growing up (Finley & Schwartz, 2004), and whether it provided similar protective qualities. Specifically, it examined whether maternal nurturance moderated the relation between witnessing domestic violence and/or community violence and level of aggression and PTSD. It also examined the differing role of maternal nurturance after witnessing domestic violence versus community violence. As frequency of witnessed domestic violence increased so did level of aggression and PTSD. A similar positive relation was found between frequency of witnessed community violence and level of aggression, however frequency of witnessed community violence did not predict PTSD total. Results also suggested that those who frequently witnessed domestic violence and had higher scores on maternal nurturance, had lower levels of aggression and total PTSD scores than those who were low on maternal nurturance. However, the significant interaction was small. Maternal nurturance did not have the same potential protective quality for those exposed to community violence. Limitations and possible reasons for the findings, such as emotional proximity to the victim were discussed. Ideas for future research are also mentioned.