Fathering by Partner-Abusive Men: Attitudes on Children’s Exposure to Interparental Conflict and Risk Factors for Child Abuse

Problem

The problem the study aimed to address: 

The study investigates the paternal roles, attitudes, and risk factors of men convicted of intimate partner violence (IPV) concerning their children’s exposure to interparental conflict and the potential for child abuse. The goal was to fill gaps in understanding how these fathers perceive the impact of IPV on their children and assess associated risks.

General impact on the system and/or public: 

Children exposed to IPV face higher risks of psychological and behavioral issues, and co-occurring child maltreatment exacerbates these risks. Fathers' roles in such contexts remain underexplored despite their significant impact on children’s outcomes.

Research Questions:

1. What proportion of IPV offenders have a paternal role, and what are their family characteristics?
2. How often do children in these families witness interparental conflict, and what are fathers’ perceptions of its effects?
3. What factors predict fathers’ acknowledgment of these impacts?
4. What proportion of IPV offenders are at high risk for child abuse, and what are the associated factors?
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated: 

The study examines male IPV offenders' roles as fathers and their acknowledgment of children’s exposure to conflict and child abuse risks, addressing a literature gap where paternal perspectives are underrepresented.
 

Data and Sample Size: 

Data were collected from 3,824 men convicted of IPV offenses in Shelby County, Tennessee, through court-mandated evaluations. Of these, 2,508 were identified as having underage children.
 

Analysis Used:

Quantitative analyses included logistic regression to predict factors influencing fathers’ perceptions and correlations to assess child abuse risk using the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI).
 

Outcome

Key Findings:

1. Paternal Roles: Over 84% of the men had a fathering role, with 65.6% actively involved in parenting underage children.
2. Conflict Exposure: Two-thirds of fathers reported that their children were exposed to interparental conflicts, but only 27.3% acknowledged any negative impact on their children.
3. Risk Factors: High child abuse risk was prevalent, with 48.7% exceeding clinical thresholds on CAPI scores. Common risk factors included prior criminal records, substance abuse, and exposure to IPV in their childhood.
4. Predictors of Acknowledgment: Older age, higher education, frequent conflict in front of children, and being married to the victim were significant predictors of fathers perceiving an impact on children.
    

Implications or Recommendations: 

• IPV offenders with paternal roles should be targeted for parenting education that emphasizes the adverse effects of IPV on children.
• Screening for child abuse risk factors during legal and custody evaluations is crucial, given the high prevalence of these risks.
• Holistic, family-centered interventions addressing all forms of family violence are recommended to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Caution is advised when considering family reunification or granting custodial rights to IPV offenders, highlighting the importance of thorough risk assessments.
   

This study underscores the necessity of integrating paternal perspectives in IPV research and designing interventions to mitigate the intergenerational transmission of violence.