The Impact of Mother’s Experience of Intimate Partner Violence on Children’s Mental Health Open Access
Dince, Peres (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Introduction:
Maternal Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) significantly influences children's mental well-being, with direct exposure profoundly impacting their mental health through witnessing or being aware of violence (Jaffe et al., 1986). Moreover, the indirect impact of IPV on children's mental health operates through maternal mental health difficulties and parenting behavior. Samuelson & Cashman (2008) observed that children of mothers with Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSs) exhibit heightened emotional negativity. Additionally, research suggests that maternal mental health acts as both a moderator and mediator in the IPV-children's mental health relationship (Yetter, 2022). Understanding these dynamics is essential for effectively addressing children's mental health issues stemming from IPV.
Methods:
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO from inception to September 30th, 2023, was conducted. Inclusion criteria comprised studies in English or Indonesian, focusing on mental health issues in children, and addressing both maternal IPV and its impact on children’s mental health. Exclusion criteria eliminated studies discussing abuse by non-partners or focusing solely on IPV without considering its effects on children. Only longitudinal studies were included. Covidence facilitated the review process from screening to data export.
Results:
This study identifies four key roles impacting children's mental health: direct IPV impact, maternal mental health, maternal mental health as a mediator, and as a moderator in IPV-child mental health. Assessments examining the association between IPV and various child outcomes, including externalizing problems, internalizing problems, depression, infant socioemotional problems, and children’s emotional-behavioral difficulties, all showed statistically significant positive associations, except for the association between IPV and children’s emotional-behavioral difficulties, which was not statistically significant. Assessments measuring the association between maternal mental health problems and child outcomes also yielded statistically significant positive associations. Mediation by maternal mental health functioning and depressive symptoms, and moderation by maternal PTSD symptoms, all showed statistically significant positive associations.
Conclusion:
This review underscores the complex interconnection of IPV, maternal mental health, and children's well-being, highlighting factors shaping children's mental health outcomes. Addressing limitations like a lack of information on low-income countries and inadequate research on adolescents necessitates further research and integrated mother-child interventions to protect children's mental health.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Methods 5
Results 10
Discussion 17
Strength and Limitations 20
Recommendations 20
Conclusions 21
References 22
Appendix
Table 1 30
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