A systematic review of qualitative studies exploring how parents affected by intimate partner violence and abuse and their children experience child welfare, health and criminal justice responses
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15360514 |
|---|---|
| Authors | William Mcgovern (0000-0002-9693-5163, Northumbria University, corresponding author), Deborah Smart (0000-0001-6354-2382, Newcastle University), Hayley Alderson (0000-0002-4674-561X, Newcastle University), Carrie Barron (Newcastle University), Victoria Cooling (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust), Hilda Frost (Newcastle University), Eileen Kaner (0000-0002-7169-9344, Newcastle University), Simon Hackett (0000-0002-3275-9324, Newcastle University), R McGovern (0000-0002-4119-4353, Newcastle University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | BMC Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458 |
| Publisher | BioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s12889-026-26838-y |
| PMID | 41794712 |
| OpenAlex | W7134128767 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 98 |
Parental Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA) is a complex issue, which requires a sensitive response from a range of services. This review aimed to identify and synthesise qualitative research examining the perceptions and experiences of parents and children affected by IPVA and their interactions or engagement with various child welfare, health and legal systems and services. We conducted a systematic review of the international literature, searching 11 electronic databases from inception to November 2023 and supplemented this with a grey literature search. Studies were included if they provided qualitative accounts from adult and/or child victims/survivors of IPVA and/or adult perpetrators reporting on experiences of child welfare, health, and/or criminal justice intervention. A thematic synthesis of 39 individual studies (38 papers and 1 book chapter) which include the perspectives of (n-825) mothers/adult females (n-107) children and (n-58) fathers was undertaken. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) the importance of supporting the family whilst safeguarding the child (2) systems failing of services to hold the perpetrator to account and (3) systems that retraumatize the Family. Services should provide a whole-family approach, which responds to the needs both the parent and child victim/survivor, and recognises the parental identity of the perpetrator. Interventions with adult victims/survivors should take a strengths-based approach, whilst holding the perpetrator to account. Particular care is needed when families are involved in family court to avoid re-traumatisation
Biostatistics · Criminal justice · Domestic violence · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Public health · Qualitative research · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Exposure to domestic violence
A critical review of interventions for the primary prevention of perpetration of partner violence
Beyond the Physical Incident Model
Appraising qualitative research for inclusion in systematic reviews
The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on intimate partner violence and mental health
A systematic review of intimate partner violence interventions focused on improving social support and/ mental health outcomes of survivors
The PRISMA 2020 statement
Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews
‘They just walk away’ – women’s perception of being silenced by antenatal health workers
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Gendered Practices in Child Protection
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Social workers' attitudes towards female victims of domestic violence
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The Importance of Resources and Information in the Lives of Battered Mothers
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Experiences of seeking help from health professionals in a sample of women who experienced domestic violence
The Therapeutic Alliance with Parents and their Children Working Through a Relational Trauma in the Family
Mothers’ Narratives of Their Involvement With Child Welfare Services
Invisible Practices
Like I’m Invisible”
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Characteristics of Domestic Violence Offenders
What are the Factors Influencing Service Provider Response to Working with Families Affected by Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse? A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Literature
Examining the Needs and Experiences of Domestic Violence Survivors in Transitional Housing
Implementing Innovative Approaches to Integrating Adult and Child Focused Services when Responding to Families Affected by Domestic Violence
Aboriginal Women's Perceptions and Experiences of a Family Violence Transitional Accommodation Service
Children’s best interests and intimate partner violence in the Canadian family law and child protection systems
Publication bias in qualitative research
The Three Planet Model
Don’t Even Get Us Started on Social Workers’
Implementing family safeguarding in the context of domestic violence and abuse
No Recourse, No Support
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |