This career development proposal involves a program of coursework, clinical training, strong mentorship and research experience in the psychiatric epidemiology of the sequelae of intimate partner violence (IPV). The candidate's experience in IPV research and epidemiology offer a strong foundation, but psychiatric epidemiology and related research methodologies are currently beyond her scope of expertise. This proposal offers a committed portion of time and resources to provide a unique opportunity to fully understand and study the complex effects of and interaction of fathers' involvement and child psychiatric disorders in the context of intimate partner violence. Two research studies are proposed to examine the psychiatric sequelae of intimate partner violence on its victims and their children. The initial investigation of this proposal will involve the use of data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) to examine the effect of paternal involvement on child mental health in the context of families with a history of IPV. Among families with a history of abuse, this study will describe characteristics of fathers' involvement in the lives of their children, and will compare these childrens' mental health outcomes relative to children with no paternal involvement. Additionally, important mediating factors including maternal depression, maternal substance abuse, and maternal and child social supports will be identified to outline the direct and indirect mechanisms of this association. The second investigation will be a prospective cohort study of recently divorced women who have both children in common and a history of intimate partner violence with their ex-spouse. The purpose of this study will be to assess whether more restrictive custody arrangements are associated with protective effects on mother and child psychiatric morbidity. Additionally, the study will examine whether these effects differ based on whether or not the non-custodial parent adheres to the established restrictions.
