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. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.