title: The case for early intervention to reduce the impact of intimate partner abuse on child outcomes: results of an Australian cohort of first-time mothers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intimate partner abuse is a major contributor to death, disability, and illness in women of childbearing age, but little is known about population level impact on children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective pregnancy cohort of 1,507 first-time mothers recruited from six public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Follow-up included validated measures of intimate partner abuse at 1 and 4 years (Composite Abuse Scale) and child emotional and behavioral difficulties at 4 years (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine percent of mothers reported partner abuse in the first 4 years postpartum: 20 percent reported abuse in the first year and 21 percent at 4 years; 12 percent of mothers reported abuse at both time points. Children of mothers reporting abuse at both times were more likely to experience emotional and/or behavioral difficulties at age 4, compared to children of mothers not reporting abuse, after adjusting for maternal depressive symptoms, relationship transitions and other social characteristics (Adj. OR 2.6 [95% CI 1.2-5.5]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intimate partner abuse impacted the lives of one in four children. Children of mothers reporting abuse at both time points were at most risk of emotional/behavioral difficulties. The case for early intervention to reduce the impact of intimate partner abuse on women's and children's lives is compelling.
authors.affiliation: Healthy Mothers Healthy Families, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gartland
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Woolhouse
authors.forename: Fiona K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hiscock
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: child development; cohort studies; intimate partner abuse; maternal health; pregnancy