Intimate partner violence against women in low- and middle-income countries: associations with parenting practices and early childhood development

Exposure to domestic violence during early life has major effects on children's subsequent health and behavior. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most common forms of violence against women and it has consistently been linked to impaired child development in high-income countries. However, very little research has been conducted with large samples in LMICs. I aim to assess the impact of IPV on parenting practices and early childhood development in LMICs; and whether the impact on maternal mental health is a key linking factor. To investigate the associations, I will use data from national household surveys carried out in African and Asian nations and a prospective study carried out in Brazil following nearly 4000 mother-children. This project will contribute to raising awareness of the consequences of IPV on child development across LMICs and generate evidence that can be used to direct global resources for violence prevention and response.