Maternal emotional and physical intimate partner violence and early child development: investigating mediators in a cross-sectional study in a South African birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study investigated associations between recent maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) (emotional, physical and sexual) and child development at 2 years as well as whether maternal depression or alcohol use mediated these relationships.

Design

Cross-sectional study nested in a South African birth cohort.

Setting

Two primary care clinics in Paarl, South Africa.

Participants

626 mother-child pairs; inclusion criteria for maternal antenatal enrolment were clinic attendance and remaining in the study area for at least 1 year; women were excluded if a minor.

Primary outcome measures

Child cognitive, language and motor development composite scores. These were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition.

SUBMITTER: Barnett W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8557296 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature