What Do We Know After Decades of Research About Parenting and IPV? A Systematic Scoping Review Integrating Findings

Abstract

This systematic scoping literature review synthesizes scholarship about intimate partner violence (IPV) and parenting into a conceptual model. We integrate findings from across 136 studies. To be included, studies had to consider how IPV influenced one’s parenting and/or how parents responded to the violence they encountered in terms of their practices related to their children. Studies had to be peer-reviewed, empirical articles, done using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, and published in English. There were no limits on the dates or locations of studies. Using these predetermined criteria, authors screened over 6,000 articles, finally selecting 136 studies to be coded and analyzed. Results demonstrate IPV undermines maternal well-being and parenting practices. Our findings also highlight multiple ways that mothers struggle to realize the complex tasks of parenting within IPV, including through emotional coping, action-based coping, and social support. By systematically bringing together and analyzing existing data on the topic, this study helps build the knowledge base around how women facing IPV plan for physical and psychological safety of themselves and their children. IOur synthesis of the literature helps expand theoretical frameworks, and stregthen prevention practices and policies so they reflect both the suffering and the resilience of mothers who grapple with IPV. Our review draws attention to the need to focus interventions on promoting the mental health and parenting self-efficacy of mothers who suffer from the direct effects of IPV and its attacks on their mental health and parental role.

Association between maternal intimate partner violence and health-related quality of life in their preschool children: The mediating role of maternal parenting styles

“…Based on these two dimensions, four different parenting styles were identified: authoritative parents (high in both warmth and strictness), authoritarian parents (low in warmth and high in strictness), indulgent parents (high in warmth and low in strictness), and neglectful parents (low in both warmth and strictness) ( 15 , 16 ). Previous studies have shown that mothers with experience of IPV were more likely to adopt parenting styles of neglect, psychological aggression, and physical aggression ( 28 , 29 ). For example, a review of 136 studies has illustrated that mothers who suffered from IPV tended to engage in harsh, rejective, and overprotective parenting styles ( 29 ).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that mothers with experience of IPV were more likely to adopt parenting styles of neglect, psychological aggression, and physical aggression ( 28 , 29 ). For example, a review of 136 studies has illustrated that mothers who suffered from IPV tended to engage in harsh, rejective, and overprotective parenting styles ( 29 ). Furthermore, maternal rejection has been demonstrated to be associated with poorer HRQOL in children ( 30 ).…”

The Influence of Interparental Conflict and Violence on Parenting and Parent–Child Relationships

“…Multiple cross‐sectional studies (Grasso et al, 2016; Greene et al, 2018; Lamela et al, 2018; Nomaguchi et al, 2017; Simmons et al, 2010; Stephenson & Renk, 2019), longitudinal studies (Adhia & Jeong, 2019; Easterbrooks et al, 2018; Grasso et al, 2016; Huang et al, 2010; Kobayashi et al, 2021; Levendosky et al, 2006; Postmus et al, 2012; Renner, 2009; Sturge‐Apple et al, 2006), meta‐analyses, and systematic reviews (Chiesa et al, 2018; Sousa et al, 2021) on IPV and parenting generally support the spillover hypothesis , suggesting that IPV between parents negatively affects parenting behaviors, and through this, children's mental and physical health. More specifically, research shows that IPV between parents including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological IPV is associated with parenting stress, more negative parenting behaviors (e.g., physical aggression, maltreatment, and less engagement), as well as less positive and supportive parenting behaviors (e.g., emotional warmth, closeness, and communication) (Chiesa et al, 2018; Ehrensaft et al, 2017; Loucks & Shaffer, 2014).…”

“…Most of the research has focused on links between mothers' IPV victimization, generally perpetrated by their current or former husband or intimate partner, and maternal parenting behaviors (Ateah et al, 2019; Austin et al, 2019; Grasso et al, 2016; Greene et al, 2018; Hasselle et al, 2020; Kelleher et al, 2008; Lamela et al, 2018; Loucks & Shaffer, 2014; Murray et al, 2012; Postmus et al, 2012; Renner, 2009; Simmons et al, 2010; Stephenson & Renk, 2019). Research consistently shows that mothers who have been abused by an intimate partner are at a heightened risk of a range of parenting problems, ranging from decreased maternal warmth and disengagement to more severe forms of child maltreatment, including hostility and harsh‐intrusive parenting (Davies et al, 2004; Hasselle et al, 2020; Kelleher et al, 2008; Sousa et al, 2021). For example, Margolin et al (2004) reported that women who experienced more hostility in interparental discussions also expressed more negative affect during mother–child discussions.…”

Associations between infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice and attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV) in Timor-Leste

“…IPV affects women's physical and mental health through direct pathways, such as injury, and indirect pathways, such as chronic health problems that arise from prolonged stress. An association has also been revealed between IPV experienced by women and the and adverse social and health effects for their children [7]. Previous studies indicated that mothers exposed to any form of IPV (physical, sexual, or emotional violence) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding early, breastfeed exclusively [6] and to practice acceptable IYCF [8].…”