Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Does Timing Matter? Associations Between Intimate Partner Violence Across the Early Life Course and Internalizing and
Katrina M Moss1, Deborah Loxton2, Gita D Mishra1
1The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
Insights
The duration of exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) significantly impacts child behavior problems, more so than the timing of exposure. Early detection of IPV is crucial for mitigating negative effects on children, especially boys during middle childhood.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) is linked to child behavior problems.
- The specific timing of IPV exposure during early life requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between the timing of IPV exposure and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
- To test critical period, sensitive period, and accumulation hypotheses regarding IPV exposure and child behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) and the Mothers and their Children's Health (MatCH) study.
- Employed a structured life course approach, analyzing IPV exposure before birth, in early, and middle childhood.
- Compared nested linear regression models for internalizing and externalizing behaviors in boys and girls.
Main Results:
- Accumulation of IPV exposure was the best model for externalizing behaviors in both genders and internalizing behaviors in girls.
- A critical period in middle childhood was identified for internalizing behaviors in boys.
- The duration of IPV exposure was more impactful than the specific timing.
Conclusions:
- The cumulative effect of intimate partner violence exposure is a significant predictor of child behavior problems.
- Early detection and intervention for IPV are essential for mitigating adverse child outcomes.
- Boys exposed to IPV during middle childhood require particular attention.
Abstract:
The association between exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child behavior problems is well established. However, questions remain about whether the timing during the child's early life course matters. We used a structured life course approach to investigate associations between the timing of IPV and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Participants were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), a national, randomly sampled community-based study that has surveyed women every 3 years since 1996. For this study, mothers born 1973 to 1978 (N = 2,163) provided data on their three youngest children under 13 years (N = 3,697, 48.5% female) as part of the Mothers and their Children's Health (MatCH) study in 2016/2017. Mothers indicated IPV in ALSWH using the Community Composite Abuse Scale in early (M = 0.99 years, SD = 0.88 years) and middle childhood (M = 3.98 years, SD = 0.92 years), and before birth (preconception). Mothers rated child internalizing and externalizing behavior in MatCH (child age: M = 8.15 years, SD = 2.37 years) using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We tested critical period, sensitive period, and accumulation hypotheses by comparing the fit of nested linear regression models (separately for girls and boys). Mothers were predominantly Caucasian (>90%) and university educated (65.5%), and 41.7% reported financial stress. Most children were not exposed to IPV (68.1%). Of those who were, 55.2% were exposed at one time, 28.7% at two times, and 16.1% at all three. Accumulation was the best model for externalizing in boys and girls and for internalizing in girls. A critical period in middle childhood was identified for internalizing in boys. Overall, the duration of exposure was more important than the timing. This suggests early detection is essential in mitigating the impact of IPV on children, with particular attention needed for boys exposed to IPV in middle childhood.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
01:28Conduct Disorder
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
01:47Aggression
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...