Maternal intimate partner violence and under five mortality in India: The effect modifying role of caste.

Intimate Partner Violence

Previous studies have suggested that when intimate partner violence (IPV) tends to be persistent across a woman's life span, her newborn offspring have a higher risk of ill health and mortality. There is a high prevalence of both IPV and neonatal mortality in Ethiopia, but the issue of IPV has remained largely outside the focus of child survival programs in this country. One of the noticeable reasons is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of IPV on neonatal mortality. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of maternal IPV on neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. This study used nationally representative data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 2,863 currently married women of reproductive age who gave birth in the preceding 5 years were included in analysis. Regression models using propensity scores were used. The prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV were 24.5%, 22.9%, and 12.0%, respectively. About 56% of women had also experienced at least one act of partner controlling behavior. Maternal IPV experience (a composite measure of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) was associated with increased neonatal mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.03, 6.45]). In addition, the odds of neonatal mortality were 2.75 times (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI = [1.05, 7.2]) higher among women who had experienced three or more partner controlling behaviors than women who had experienced less than three or none. Maternal IPV is significantly associated with risk of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. There is a clear need for IPV interventions in child survival programs. Therefore, existing neonatal survival strategies should focus beyond the direct causes of neonatal mortality, and they need to target IPV as an underlying factor to neonatal morbidities and mortality.

Maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure has been linked to negative parenting outcomes. Studies suggest that parenting stress is an intermediary between IPV exposure and parenting, though past work has relied on small, clinically- referred samples. Moreover, it is unclear if parenting is differentially affected by a mother’s recent versus past history of IPV exposure, or whether a mother’s childhood abuse history moderates the associations of IPV with parenting stress and parenting behaviors. The current study examines whether recent IPV, versus past IPV, has stronger associations with parenting stress and parenting behaviors and tests whether maternal abuse history moderates these associations. Using structural equation modeling, we tested relations between IPV (frequency and recency), parenting stress, and parenting behaviors cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a large community sample of IPV-exposed low-income Hispanic and African American mothers of children aged 0–14 years (N = 1159). We found that mothers who reported IPV exposure in the past year reported higher negative and lower positive parenting behaviors than mothers who reported less recent exposure. Further, we found that the frequency and timing of IPV exposure affected parenting indirectly through increased parenting stress. However, a childhood history of abuse did not appear to sensitize women to these effects. These findings suggest that psychological interventions aimed at reducing the subjective experience of parenting stress, as well as increased access to resources that reduce objective childcare burden, are important for promoting resilience among families exposed to violence.

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of short birth interval (SBI) on neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality in Ethiopia.DesignA nationally representative cross-sectional survey.SettingThis study used data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health...

This study aimed to understand whether maternal child marriage and past year intimate partner violence (IPV) impact stunting among Sri Lankan children under 5 years old, and, secondarily, whether proximity to conflict is associated with stunting. Additionally, we assessed whether proximity to conflict moderates the relationships between maternal child marriage and past year IPV (sexual, physical, and emotional). We tested these questions using logistic regression analyses of the 2016 Sri Lankan Demographic and Health Survey (n = 4941 mother-child dyads). In country-wide adjusted analyses, we did not find associations between maternal child marriage or IPV and stunting (p > 0.05). Children in districts proximal and central to conflict were significantly less likely to be stunted compared to children in districts distal to conflict (proximal adjusted odds ratio/aOR: 0.43, 95% confidence interval/CI: 0.22–0.82; central aOR: 0.53, CI: 0.29–0.98). We found significant interaction effects on stunting between proximity to conflict and both sexual and emotional IPV, which we further explored in stratified analyses. In districts distal to conflict, maternal sexual IPV was significantly associated with increased odds of stunting (aOR: 2.71, CI: 1.16–6.35), and in districts central to conflict, maternal emotional IPV was significantly associated with increased odds of stunting (aOR: 1.80, CI: 1.13–2.89). Maternal emotional IPV was significantly associated with decreased odds of stunting in districts proximal to conflict (aOR: 0.42, CI: 0.18–0.96). Maternal child marriage and physical IPV were not associated with stunting in Sri Lanka. Variations in associations between maternal IPV and stunting across Sri Lanka may reflect the lasting and differential impact of conflict, as well as differential humanitarian responses which may have improved child nutrition practices and resources in districts central and proximal to conflict. Policies and programs addressing stunting in Sri Lanka should consider the role of maternal IPV as well as community-level variations based on proximity to conflict.

Influence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Exposure on Cardiovascular and Salivary Biosensors: Is There a Relationship?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global problem, prevalent in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). IPV is particularly problematic during the perinatal and early postnatal period, where it is linked with negative maternal and child health outcomes. There has been little examination of profiles of IPV and early life adversity in LMIC contexts. We aimed to characterize longitudinal IPV and to investigate maternal maltreatment in childhood as a predictor of IPV exposure during pregnancy and postnatally in a low resource setting. This study was nested in the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a longitudinal birth cohort. Maternal IPV (emotional, physical and sexual) was measured at six timepoints from pregnancy to two years postpartum (n = 832); sociodemographic variables and maternal maltreatment in childhood were measured antenatally at 28–32 weeks’ gestation. Associations between maternal maltreatment in childhood and IPV latent class membership (to identify patterns of maternal IPV exposure) were estimated using multinomial and logistic regression. We observed high levels of maternal maltreatment during childhood (34%) and IPV during pregnancy (33%). In latent class analysis separating by IPV sub-type, two latent classes of no/low and moderate sexual IPV and three classes of low, moderate, and high emotional and physical IPV (separately) were detected. In combined latent class analysis, including all IPV sub-types together, a low, moderate and high exposure class emerged as well as a high antenatal/decreasing postnatal class. Moderate and high classes for all IPV sub-types and combined analysis showed stable intensity profiles. Maternal childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, and emotional abuse predicted membership in high IPV classes, across all domains of IPV (aORs between 1.99 and 5.86). Maternal maltreatment in childhood was associated with increased probability of experiencing high or moderate intensity IPV during and around pregnancy; emotional neglect was associated with decreasing IPV class for combined model. Intervening early to disrupt this cycle of abuse is critical to two generations.

BackgroundAlthough intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a public health issue around the world, there is a lack of evidence regarding the impact of maternal IPV on preschool children’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal IPV and HRQOL among Chinese preschool children, as well as the mediating role of maternal parenting styles.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 4,243 mother-child dyads who attended preschools. Mothers self-reported their parenting styles and experience of IPV. Children’s HRQOL was collected through mother-proxy report with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0). Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between maternal IPV and children’s HRQOL. Mediation models were further applied to explore the possible mediating role of maternal parenting styles.ResultsOf the included mothers, 7.4% had experience of IPV. Compared to children of mothers without any IPV exposure, those of mothers with experience of IPV had significantly lower scores in all HRQOL dimensions and summary scales. After adjustment for covariates, maternal IPV was significantly associated with children’s lower physical health summary score, psychosocial health summary score, and total scale score. Mediation analysis showed that both rejection and overprotection mediated such associations, but not for the emotional warmth.ConclusionOur findings indicated the need to screen maternal IPV supplemented with targeted interventions focusing on parenting styles, in order to mitigate the negative impact of maternal IPV on children’s HRQOL.

While exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a known risk factor for adolescent mental health difficulties, the impact of IPV chronicity in Latine families and the role of protective factors, such as strong parent-child bonds, remain understudied. Using longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1,304 Latine mother-child dyads), we examined associations between maternal IPV exposure patterns (none, early: age 0-3, late: age 3-9, or chronic), parent-child relationships at age 9, and adolescent internalizing symptoms at age 15. Maternal IPV exposure was measured through self-reported physical, sexual, and psychological abuse victimization across five timepoints from birth to age 9. Multiple regression analyses revealed that chronic (β = .825, p < .001) and late (β = 1.265, p < .001) maternal IPV exposure predicted higher levels of adolescent internalizing symptoms compared with no exposure. Closer parent-child relationships were associated with adolescent lower internalizing scores (β = -1.069, p < .05 for extremely close maternal relationships). A significant interaction emerged between early maternal IPV and parent-child closeness (β = -5.482, p < .05), whereby closer parent-child bonds at age 9 weakened links between early IPV exposure and subsequent adolescent internalizing behaviors. Among Latine families, closer parent-child relationships may buffer against the impact of maternal IPV exposure on adolescent internalizing behaviors, particularly in the context of early IPV exposure. Results underscore the importance of both IPV exposure timing and quality of parent-child bonds in shaping adolescent mental health outcomes. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening early parent-child relationships may promote resilience among adolescents exposed to maternal IPV victimization.

Neighborhood Effects and Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence: Latest Results

Because a substantial proportion of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence is experienced at a young age, primary prevention of these forms of violence must begin early. Prevention efforts should take into consideration that female sexual violence and stalking victimization is perpetrated predominately by men and that a substantial proportion of male sexual violence and stalking victimization (including rape, unwanted sexual contact, noncontact unwanted sexual experiences, and stalking) also is perpetrated by men. CDC seeks to prevent these forms of violence with strategies that address known risk factors for perpetration and by changing social norms and behaviors by using bystander and other prevention strategies. In addition, primary prevention of intimate partner violence is focused on the promotion of healthy relationship behaviors and other protective factors, with the goal of helping adolescents develop these positive behaviors before their first relationships. The early promotion of healthy relationships while behaviors are still relatively modifiable makes it more likely that young persons can avoid violence in their relationships.

Childhood intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure increases the likelihood of internalizing and externalizing problems. There is substantial variability in children's outcomes following IPV exposure, but the reasons behind this are unclear, particularly among preschool-age children. The current study aimed to examine the direct and indirect effects of IPV on preschoolers' mental health through parent factors (parenting and parental depression), exploring child temperament as a potential moderator of the relation between IPV and child outcomes. Participants were 186 children (85 girls) and their parents living in the United States. Data were initially collected when children were age three, with follow-up at ages four and six. Both parents' baseline IPV perpetration had adverse effects on child outcomes. Mothers' IPV was associated with greater paternal depression, paternal overractivity, and maternal laxness, whereas fathers' IPV was associated with more paternal overreactivity. Only paternal depression mediated the effect of mothers' IPV on child outcomes. Parenting did not mediate nor did child temperament moderate the relation between IPV and child outcomes. Results shed insight into the need to address parental mental health in families experiencing IPV and underline the need for a further exploration of individual- and family-level mechanisms of adjustment following IPV exposure.

Intimate Partner Violence and Women’s Physical, Mental, and Social Functioning

To examine the impact of chronicity of maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) on obesity risk among preschool-aged children. Prospective cohort study. Several large US cities. A subsample of the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study participants (n = 1595), who were children born between 1998 and 2000 and their parents interviewed at baseline and at 12, 36, and 60 months. Maternal report of restrictive, sexual, and physical abuse from an intimate partner. Chronic IPV was defined as any maternal IPV exposure during both pregnancy or infancy (0-12 months) and early childhood (36-60 months). Repeated measures of child body mass index. Among the 1595 children, 16.5% were obese at age 5 years and 49.4% of the mothers reported some form of IPV. Compared with those who had no IPV exposure, children whose mothers reported chronic IPV had an elevated risk for obesity at age 5 years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-2.61). Stratified analyses indicated increased risk for obesity among girls with a maternal history of chronic IPV (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.75) compared with boys (adjusted odds ratio = 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-2.93) and a larger effect of any maternal IPV on obesity among children living in less safe neighborhoods (adjusted odds ratio = 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.36). Chronic maternal IPV is associated with increased risk of obesity among preschool-aged children. Preventing family violence and improving community safety may help reduce childhood obesity.

Despite well-known emotional and behavioural sequela, few studies investigate health-care utilisation and injury impacts of children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). This study examines the association between mothers' IPV experience and general practitioner (GP) and hospital presentations by their children within the first 6 years of life. In 2000, a cohort of Pacific infants born in Auckland was established. At 6 weeks, 2 years and 6 years post-partum, maternal home interviews were conducted and IPV experience elicited using the Conflict Tactic Scale, together with reports of children's GP and hospital visitations. At 6 weeks, 2 years and 6 years, 1098, 921 and 799 participating mothers were in intimate relationships. Severe physical IPV was reported by 22.1, 23.0 and 7.1% of mothers, respectively, and minor IPV was reported by another 18.7, 16.9 and 6.1%, respectively. Compared with children without maternal physical IPV exposure, children of mothers disclosing severe physical IPV were 1.19 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.31) times as likely to visit GPs, and children of mothers disclosing minor physical IPV were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.02-1.25) times as likely to visit GPs, after adjusting for socio-demographic, maternal mental health and other confounding factors. No significant association was found between maternal IPV and children's hospital visits, or GP or hospital visits for injury. IPV is common for many mothers of Pacific children, and is associated with significantly more GP visits for exposed children. Identification of maternal IPV during mothers' and children's GP and hospital visits may help guide services to prevent future presentations to children.