Examination of self-esteem and social adjustment in middle school aged children of domestic violence victim mothers

This study aimed to examine self-esteem and psychological adjustment of middle school students in terms of presence of domestic violence against their mothers. For the research, participants were recruited as mothers and their children in Secondary School. Informed consent was obtained from the mothers for themselves and their children for participating the study and collect the surveys. The research model is based on the statistical analysis of the data taken from the sample; Includes the "relational search" method that takes account of the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Measures for analyzing research variables including demographic and personal information, variables related to domestic violence, students' self-esteem and psychological adjustment included "Demographic Information Form", "Domestic Violence Against Women Information Form" which were provided for the mothers, "Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale" and "Bell Social Adjustment Inventory" which were provided for the students. Based on the results of the study, half of the mothers reported as being exposed to physical violence. Students' self-esteem and adjustment related to family were found as significantly different in terms of mothers' being exposed to physical violence. Children of women reported physical violence self-esteem and familial adjustment were found as significantly lower. Additionally, significant relationship between students' self-esteem and familial adjustment was found in whole sample. Also, students' adjustment regarding family relations was found as predictive in terms of their self-esteem in this study. Findings in this study is prominent in terms of contributing information regarding risk and triggering factors in childrens' well-being and functionality. With these findings, further research and applications might be constructed by considering these variables.