The Use of Children as a Tactic of Intimate Partner Violence and its Relationship to Survivors’ Mental Health

Abstract Although prior research has established that intimate partner violence (IPV) often leads to increased depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about how abusive partners ex-partners use survivors’ children as an abuse tactic, nor whether this form of IPV also detrimental mental health. The current study interviewed 299 unstably housed survivors shortly after they sought services from a domestic agency. All participants were parents minor children. In-person interviews asked experienced in the six months, including ways used IPV. Participants their anxiety, symptoms PTSD. As hypothesized, majority reported had control hurt them. Further, controlling for other forms IPV, significantly predicted both greater number PTSD symptoms. Results show importance focusing on common injurious against (IPV).