A Systematic Review of Interventions for Women Parenting in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is widespread among women with children and has negative consequences for both women's and children's well-being. Despite mixed evidence regarding the effect of IPV on women's parenting ability and behaviors, there is an increasing focus on mothering in the context of IPV, particularly among the child welfare and child protection systems. To help respond to this increasing focus, several interventions have been developed that specifically target parenting among IPV-affected women. Given the growing numbers of these interventions, a comprehensive review is needed to help elucidate the approaches that are most effective in meeting the needs of IPV-affected women and children. Therefore, we conducted an in-depth systematic review of the literature to examine the approaches and effects of interventions designed to address aspects of parenting among IPV-affected women. We identified 26 articles concerned with 19 distinct interventions for review. We found substantial heterogeneity in intervention delivery, format, length, and focus. We noted several limitations of the existing studies in terms of study sample, measures, design, and implementation. Given the heterogeneity of the existing interventions and the limitations of the current research base, it is not yet clear which interventions or intervention components are most effective in addressing the unique needs of women parenting in the context of IPV. Further research is needed to address these limitations, and professionals working with IPV-affected families should be aware that current services may not meet women's and children's needs.

Mothers and Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Treatment Interventions

“…We reviewed nine of the same articles as these authors. In addition, Austin et al [ 33 ] reviewed 19 interventions for women parenting in the context of violence, but provided no explanation as to why this might occur. We reviewed 12 of the same articles as these authors.…”

“…Attrition was a problem across the board, which to a certain extent is expected among this client group, who face enormous instability and uncertainty [ 50 ]. However, approximately only 2% of children exposed to IPV live in shelters [ 33 ], which suggests that recruitment to interventions ought to include wider local outreach to identify those in need elsewhere. In addition, few interventions implemented multiple age groups within their programs for children, with even fewer extending up to 18 years.…”

“…Given the range of evidence on the interaction of individual experiences of IPV (directly as a mother, and indirectly as a child) and the subsequent impact on behavior and functioning–as well as the impact of these on relationships–this review has a primary focus of distinguishing how different types of interventions in psychosocial care settings adapt to meet the needs of mothers and children, both separately and in joint sessions. We aim to do this by (1) mapping existing interventions for women who are directly affected by IPV, and their children who are secondary victims; and (2) to build on similar existing work [ 28 , 30 , 33 ] by further exploring how the structure and content of intervention programs can bring about change (be it improvements in individual functioning or in dyadic relationships). We strongly feel that understanding the mechanisms underpinning the interventions themselves is useful for guiding future research/clinical practice that seeks to support mother-child dyads affected by IPV.…”

Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: Association Among Battered Mothers’ Parenting Competences and Children’s Behavior

“…Multileveled programs of mothers and children working both separately and together across sessions might generate the most successful psychosocial recovery for mothers and children who have experienced violence in the home [69]. However, given the heterogeneity of existing interventions and the limitations of current research [70], it is not yet clear which interventions or intervention components are most effective in addressing the needs of women parenting in the context of IPV, so further research is needed.…”

Assessing the Feasibility of a Parent Life Coaching Intervention to Support Parents and Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence and Abuse

“…This risk to children's health and development may be conferred directly through the trauma of witnessing the violence and its impact on their mother, as well as indirectly through its harmful effects on the mental health of caregivers and the parenting and relationships they are subsequently able to provide to children (Graham-Bermann and Perkins 2010). In particular, mothers who survive DVA are at greater risk than their non-abused peers for emotional disorders, particularly major depression; employing inconsistent or harsh parenting styles; and are more likely to report reduced empowerment or control in their parenting role (Austin et al 2018;Lapierre 2010a, b;Letourneau et al 2007;Stein and Kennedy 2001;Zlotnick et al 2006).…”