Revisiting the Co-Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment

Abusive head trauma: The body of the iceberg - A population-based survey on prevalence and perpetrators

BACKGROUND

Research on abusive head trauma (AHT) is usually research on clinically identified cases, while population-based studies, having the potential to identify cases of shaking that did not end with hospital admission, are missing to date.

OBJECTIVE

Thus, we aimed to assess the prevalence of AHT and associated risk factors in a representative sample of the German population.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study in Germany from July to October 2021. Using different sampling steps including a random route procedure, a probability sample of the German population was generated. The final sample consisted of 2503 persons (50.2 % female, mean age: 49.5 years).

METHODS

Participants were asked about sociodemographic information in a face-to-face interview and whether they had been ever responsible for the care of an infant and whether they had ever performed potential harmful methods including shaking to calm it, intimate partner violence (IPV) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 1.4 % of women (N = 18) and 1.1 % of men (N = 13) reported to have at least once shaken an infant to calm it. Ever having used a potential harmful parenting method in calming an infant was reported by 4.9 % of women (N = 61) and 3.1 % (N = 39) of men. No gender differences were seen. A low income, living with someone under 16 in the household and victimization and perpetration of IPV and ACEs are associated with increased risks of shaking and other potential harmful methods to calm an infant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that despite better knowledge on the dangers of shaking, the percentage of women that shake infants might be higher than previously thought. Also, intimate partner violence and ACEs are key risk factor for shaking and harmful parenting behaviors in general. This has important implications for future prevention programs.

Supporting Intimate Partner Violence Survivors and Their Children in Pediatric Healthcare Settings

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health epidemic that influences child health and thriving. In this article, we discuss how pediatric healthcare providers and systems can create healing-centered spaces to support IPV survivors and their children. We review the use of universal education and resource provision to share information about IPV during all clinical encounters as a healing-centered alternative to screening. We also review how to support survivors who may share experiences of IPV, focused on validation, affirmation, and connection to resources. Clinicians are provided key action items to implement in their clinical settings.