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Intimate Partner Violence, Parenting, and Toddler Behavior among Low-Income Latinx Families

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Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) adversely impacts child and adult well-being, as well as affects parenting processes. However, there is a need to understand the mechanisms by which IPV affects parenting and child outcomes. The current study examined the associations among maternal experiences of IPV (i.e., physical and verbal aggression), parenting processes, and toddler behavior in an understudied group: low-income Latinx families with very young children. Central American immigrant mothers (N = 169) were interviewed in their homes in Spanish or English, based on their preference. Mother–toddler interaction was video-recorded and coded for sensitive-engaged parenting and harsh-intrusive parenting. IPV exposure did not relate directly to parenting or to toddlers’ (ages 12–28 months) behavior. Rather, parenting stress significantly moderated the relation between IPV exposure and observed parenting behavior: for mothers with lower levels of parenting stress, IPV was positively associated with sensitive-engaged parenting, whereas for mothers with higher levels of parenting stress, IPV was positively associated with harsh-intrusive parenting. Moreover, for mothers with higher parenting stress, IPV exposure was associated with harsh-intrusive parenting behavior, which in turn was related to toddler behavior problems. In sum, parenting stress influenced the impact of IPV exposure on parenting behaviors, and on toddler behavior problems. The implications of these results for the design of parenting interventions for families affected by IPV are explored.

Highlights

  • Intimate Partner Violence was positively associated with sensitive-engaged parenting for mothers with lower levels of parenting stress.

  • Intimate Partner Violence was positively associated with harsh-intrusive parenting for mothers with higher levels of parenting stress.

  • For mothers with higher levels of parenting stress, Intimate Partner Violence was associated with harsh-intrusive parenting behavior, which in turn was related to toddler behavior problems.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by ACF 90-YR-0059, awarded to Lisa Berlin and Brenda Jones Harden, and reflects an Early Head Start-University Partnership with the following programs: Catholic Charities of Washington; CentroNia DC; CentroNia Maryland; Family Services, Inc.; The Reginald S. Lourie Center; Rosemount Center; and United Planning Organization. Aleta Meyer, project officer, and the members of the Buffering Toxic Stress research consortium provided valuable scientific input and instrumental support. Roger Mills-Koonce and Nissa Towe-Goodman led the video coding. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families. We gratefully acknowledge the research participants for their many contributions.

Funding

This research was supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Grant ACF-90-YR-0059, awarded to Lisa J. Berlin and Brenda Jones Harden. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of ACF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Brenda Jones Harden & Lisa J. Berlin

  2. University of Maryland College Park, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Brenda Jones Harden, Tiffany L. Martoccio & Laura Jimenez Parra

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  1. Brenda Jones Harden
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  2. Tiffany L. Martoccio
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Correspondence to Brenda Jones Harden.

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The University of [blinded for review] IRB approved all research procedures (blinded for review). Mothers provided written acknowledgement of informed consent for their own and the target child’s study participation.

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Jones Harden, B., Martoccio, T.L., Berlin, L.J. et al. Intimate Partner Violence, Parenting, and Toddler Behavior among Low-Income Latinx Families. J Child Fam Stud 30, 1675–1684 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01971-x

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