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Associations between young children’s exposure to household violence and behavioural problems

Evidence from a rural Kenyan sample

Bibliographic Data

ID15540918
AuthorsChristina Laurenzi (0000-0001-9648-4473, Stellenbosch University, corresponding author), Sarah Skeen (0000-0002-7464-2861, Stellenbosch University), Phillip Sundin (0000-0003-2610-4644, UCLA Health), Xanthe Hunt (0000-0001-7531-6665, Stellenbosch University), Robert E Wei (0000-0003-3648-8522, UCLA Health), Mary J Rotheram-Borus (0000-0001-6395-5187, Center for Children), Mark Tomlinson (0000-0001-5846-3444, Stellenbosch University)
Year2019
Volume15
Issue2
Pages173-184
Publication date2019-08-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2019.1656274
OpenAlexW2969558160
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited49

Little is known about how young children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience violence in their homes, and how different types of household violence may affect child development. This study reports on levels of exposure to household violence and associations with child behavioural outcomes in preschool-aged children in western Kenya. A sample of 465 caregivers, whose children (n = 497) attended early learning centres supported by an international NGO, were enrolled in the study. Caregivers reported on exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), household discipline practices, attitudes about gender roles, and child behavioural outcomes. Multivariable analysis showed significant predictive effects of IPV (regression coefficient = 1.35, SE = 0.54, p = 0.01) and harsh psychological child discipline (regression coefficient = 0.74, SE = 0.22, p = 0.001), but not physical discipline (regression coefficient = 0.42, SE = 0.24, p = 0.08), on worse child behavioural problems. These findings indicate that child exposure to violence in different forms is highly prevalent, and associated with poorer outcomes in young children. Community-based programmes focused on parenting and early child development are well-positioned to address household violence in LMIC settings, but must be supported to provide a broader understanding of violence and its immediate and long-term consequences

Affect (linguistics · Child development · Domestic violence · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Kenya · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicide prevention · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology

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Unique citing works7
Citations per year1,75
Citation span2022 - 2025 (4)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 7
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