Behavioral problems in the children of women who are victims of intimate partner violence.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the maternal experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's behavioral problems.

SAMPLE: The secondary data of the National Survey on Women's Health and Life Experience, which included 980 Cambodian children aged 6-12 years whose mothers responded to questions, were analyzed.

MEASUREMENTS: IPV was measured as any experience of physical or sexual violence against a woman by her husband. The children's behavioral problems were indicated by nightmares, bed-wetting, timidity, and aggressive behavior as reported by their mothers.

RESULTS

The children of the women who had experienced sexual violence had a higher prevalence of nightmares (adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.421-3.470), bed-wetting (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.398-3.308), and timidity (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.075-3.019) than those without reported IPV. The children of mothers who had experienced physical violence had a higher rate of aggression (OR  =  2.19, 95% CI: 1.321-3.630).

CONCLUSION

The Cambodian children exposed to IPV against their mothers experienced more behavioral problems. This study presents evidence to support changes in current policy to prevent violence and alleviate behavioral problems.