Improving the mental health of parents and caregivers as a strategy to prevent family violence: What does the evidence suggest?

Common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, are extremely prevalent globally, with especially poor access to care and treatment in the Global South.

In an earlier evidence review, the Prevention Collaborative described how common mental health problems can increase the risk of both perpetrating and experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and why efforts to alleviate common mental health problems can be an effective IPV prevention strategy. This complementary review synthesises how common mental health problems among parents and caregivers can influence their risk of perpetrating child maltreatment, which includes violent punishment; physical, sexual, and emotional violence; and the neglect of infants, children, and adolescents.

While there is a wealth of evidence on the mental health consequences of experiencing abuse in childhood, less attention has been paid to how strengthening parents’ and caregivers’ mental health can help prevent child maltreatment.

Read the full review synthesis