Research shows that intimate partner violence is strongly linked to health problems in children

A new study led by Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) has revealed a strong link between intimate partner violence and poor health outcomes for children.

Published in last week The Lancet Global HealthResearchers found that children under the age of five whose mothers had experienced intimate partner violence during their lives were more likely to develop acute respiratory infections and diarrhea, and to be malnourished. This risk was much greater in children of mothers who had experienced multiple forms of violence.

Examining data from more than 230,000 children under the age of five living in 37 sub-Saharan countries, this study is the first to comprehensively examine the link between mothers’ experience of physical, sexual and emotional violence, as well as their mutual coherence. – the occurrence and the resulting consequences for the health of their child.

These critical findings expand the knowledge base of the consequences of violence and provide a foundation for building tailored policy interventions and prevention programs specific to different contexts and regions.

This study also highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates health, social services and legal frameworks when it comes to addressing and preventing violence in the community.

Violence and the consequences of violence are a burden faced by most communities – including Australia and the Northern Territory (NT). Understanding these consequences is critical to improving outcomes for children and reducing the long-term and intergenerational effects of domestic violence.

Given the direct link between a child’s health and their mother’s well-being, the research highlighted that support for mothers and their children was crucial in shaping both their health and well-being trajectories.

These findings are part of a wider body of work by researchers at the Menzies Center for Child Development and Education, which includes research projects related to the impact of domestic violence on maternal health and well-being, parenting and health, education and parenting. social consequences of children exposed to violence.