The Intimate Partner Violence Impact on Maternal Parenting: The Mediational Role of Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Currently, intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health issue and those women experiencing IPV in the context of motherhood have to face additional challenges related to parenting. Literature on how IPV impact on maternal parenting characteristics is controversial and the role of maternal depression on parenting in the context of IPV is still understudied. The current preliminary study included 61 Italian women victims of IPV who completed an online questionnaire. We tested a path-analysis model in which IPV was expected to explain parental practices and stress through the mediation of maternal depression. Our results showed that depressive symptoms in mothers mediated the relationships between IPV and higher engagement in maternal inconsistent discipline and higher parental stress. Findings supported the spillover hypothesis and, at the same time, suggest the need to consider another important factor in the link between IPV and parenting that is mothers’ mental health. It emerged the need to take care of women victims of IPV and also fostering parenting skills and strategies.