We analyzed data from a large birth cohort study conducted in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in which around 3500 mother–child dyads were studied at ages 4 years and 6–7 years to investigate the association between maternal intimate partner victimization and mothering. IPV exposure was self-reported by mothers when children were 4 years old, and parenting was assessed through direct observation of parent–child interactions (filmed at age 4 years) and self-reports in interviews conducted with mothers when children were 4 years and 6–7 years old. 

The researchers found that mothers exposed to intimate partner violence have been shown to have poorer parental consistency and relationship quality with their children than mothers not exposed to intimate partner violence, and to use harsher parenting. These findings were consistent at both ages 4 and 6-7 years. An interesting finding was that both emotional violence and physical or sexual violence exposures were associated with these adverse parenting outcomes. 

The findings of this study have some important implications: they provide further evidence of the role of maternal exposure to intimate partner violence in harsh and less positive parenting behaviours. The implication is that intimate partner violence prevention is crucial for strengthening parenting, with a host of subsequent benefits for children's mental, physical, cognitive, social, and educational development.

You can access the full paper at: The Lancet Global Health