Intimate partner violence among female caregivers of children reported for child maltreatment.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence among female caregivers of children reported to child protective services.

METHOD: Data were derived from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a national probability study of children investigated for child abuse and neglect in the United States. Caregivers were interviewed about demographic characteristics, mental health, substance use, and physical violence by a partner.

RESULTS

The lifetime and past year prevalence of intimate partner violence was 44.8 and 29.0%, respectively. Caregiver major depression and history of prior reports of child maltreatment were strongly associated with violence against women.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need for effective screening and identification of intimate partner violence in families in which child maltreatment has occurred.