Health and Health Needs of Children of Women Seeking Services for and Safety From Intimate Partner Violence

Children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk for health problems. The moment that a mother seeks services for or safety from IPV may be a window of opportunity to offer needed health care for her children. The objective of the study is to describe the perceptions of child health conditions and needs among mothers seeking services for or safety from IPV, and to compare the results in shelter- versus community-based samples. A cross-sectional survey of women with at least one child of age 3 to 11 years seeking services at an urban YWCA, which supports a residential IPV shelter and a community-based family justice center, was done between fall 2013 and winter 2014. Child health conditions were captured using the Children With Special Health Care Needs survey and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Prevalence of health conditions among IPV-exposed children was compared with population norms. Perceived child health and health needs in the residential versus community settings were compared. Women (n = 48) completed surveys related to 91 children. Special health care needs (25%) and behavioral health (52%) problems were significantly higher in our sample than in general populations. Almost one quarter (24%) of children had a current need for general medical care and almost one half (44%) had a current need for behavioral health care. No significant differences in child health conditions or needs between residential and community settings were observed. These findings extend prior research describing the health problems faced by children exposed to IPV by describing maternal perceptions of child health and need for health care in a critical moment of seeking help for IPV. Community agencies may use this window of opportunity to support child health and household safety.

Automated summary

Children exposed to intimate partner violence are at increased risk for health problems, including special health care needs and behavioral health issues. A study comparing mothers seeking services for IPV in shelter- versus community-based settings found higher prevalence of health conditions among IPV-exposed children compared to population norms. Both residential and community settings showed no significant differences in child health conditions or needs, highlighting the importance of addressing child health and household safety during moments of seeking help for IPV.