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Published on: August 7, 2017

Maternal intimate partner violence and increased asthma incidence in children: buffering effects of supportive

Shakira Franco Suglia1, Michelle Bosquet Enlow, Antje Kullowatz

  • 1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA. sfranco@hsph.harvard.edu

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|March 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) is linked to a higher risk of childhood asthma. Supportive caregiving, like engaging in activities and providing toys, may protect children from this risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern.
  • Early childhood asthma is a prevalent chronic condition with multifactorial etiology.
  • The impact of maternal stress and violence on child health outcomes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) and the onset of asthma in young children.
  • To explore the potential moderating role of supportive caregiving factors in the relationship between maternal IPV and childhood asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective birth cohort study involving 3116 children.
  • Maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) was assessed at multiple time points post-childbirth.
  • Childhood asthma diagnosis by age 36 months was the primary outcome, with supportive caregiving factors also measured.

Main Results:

  • Children exposed to chronic maternal IPV had a 2-fold increased risk of developing asthma.
  • Low levels of mother-child activities in the context of IPV significantly increased asthma risk.
  • High levels of mother-child activities and availability of educational toys appeared to buffer the effects of IPV on asthma risk.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) is significantly associated with an increased risk of early childhood asthma.
  • Positive maternal caregiving processes, such as engagement in activities and provision of stimulating environments, may mitigate the adverse effects of IPV on child asthma development.
  • Interventions supporting mothers experiencing IPV are crucial for promoting positive child health outcomes.
Abstract

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