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Psychosocial factors associated with mother–child violence: a household survey

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate the psychosocial factors associated with violence by women against their children, using a household survey.

Methods

Households in two neighborhoods in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, with different socioeconomic profiles, were selected through probability sampling and surveyed. A total of 446 women with children up to 18 years of age were interviewed. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the CTSPC (Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scales), the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) were applied. Using STATA statistical software, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between psychosocial variables and domestic violence against children.

Results

The prevalence of violence by mothers against their children during the 3 months prior to data collection was as follows: psychological aggression, 70.5% (n = 304); corporal punishment, 51.4% (n = 232); and physical maltreatment, 9.8% (n = 46). Women with a higher educational level exhibited lower odds of committing psychological aggression (OR 0.47; CI 0.24–0.91) and corporal punishment (OR 0.32; CI 0.16–0.64). Age was associated with corporal punishment, with older women (OR 0.94; CI 0.91–0.97) reporting a lower frequency of this type of violence against their children. Residing in the neighborhood with higher socioeconomic status reduced the odds of reporting psychological aggression (OR 0.45; CI 0.27–0.75). Maternal depression (OR 3.75; CI 1.51–9.31) and harmful drinking (OR 4.73; CI 1.17–19.10) were risk factors for physical maltreatment.

Conclusions

The results point to the need for preventive strategies for mother–child violence in low and middle income countries, with a focus on the mothers’ education and mental health, especially with regard to the younger ones.

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Acknowledgements

This study was developed with the support of the following agencies: the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; Processes No: 2010/51094-7, No: 2010/51837-0 and No: 2012/00354-4), the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico, Process No: 400675/2010-2) and the Research Incentive Fund Association (AFIP; Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychobiology, Research Center on Health and Substance Use (NEPSIS), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Botucatu St., 862-First Floor, São Paulo, SP, 04023-062, Brazil

    Carla Ferreira de Paula Gebara, Cleusa Pinheiro Ferri & Ana Regina Noto

  2. Department of Psychology, Center for Studies on Violence and Social Anxiety (NEVAS), Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Santos Dumont St., 214, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36010-510, Brazil

    Fernanda Monteiro de Castro Bhona & Lelio Moura Lourenço

  3. Department of Statistics, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), José Lourenço Kelmer St., Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-330, Brazil

    Marcel de Toledo Vieira

Authors
  1. Carla Ferreira de Paula Gebara
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  2. Cleusa Pinheiro Ferri
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  3. Fernanda Monteiro de Castro Bhona
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  4. Marcel de Toledo Vieira
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  5. Lelio Moura Lourenço
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  6. Ana Regina Noto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carla Ferreira de Paula Gebara.

Ethics declarations

The study was approved by the research ethics committee of the Federal University of São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo—UNIFESP), Ruling No. 0699/10. All participants were provided information about the study and the voluntary nature of participation and signed an informed consent form prior to their inclusion in the study. In addition, a guide listing health and psychosocial care services and a brochure with information on drinking were developed and delivered to the participants as educational material relating to the study, and to serve as references for future care needs.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Gebara, C.F., Ferri, C.P., Bhona, F.M. et al. Psychosocial factors associated with mother–child violence: a household survey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 52, 77–86 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1298-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1298-0

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