Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Article reuse guidelines: sagepub. Intimate partner violence IPV can negatively impact parenting, posing a threat both to the wellbeing of mothers and their young children.
Changes in maternal respiratory sinus arrhythmia RSA during parentβchild interactions have been conceptualized as a psychophysiological index of ER. Competing theoretical models posit that RSA response may mediate or moderate the relation between IPV and parenting or may be independently associated with parenting, however, there is little prior evidence concerning these hypothesized associations. This study examined these associations in a sample of low-income maltreating and comparison mothers and their 3- to 5-year-old children.
Dyads completed a moderately challenging laboratory task, and positive parenting and maternal RSA were measured during the task. Maternal verbal IPV exposure, but not physical IPV, was associated with less positive parenting, while greater maternal RSA activation over the task was associated with more positive parenting. Maternal RSA activation did not mediate or moderate the relationship between IPV exposure and parenting, and this association did not differ by whether or not the mother had perpetrated child maltreatment.
Results suggest that interventions for IPV-exposed mothers of young children may benefit from ensuring psychological safety and improving maternal ER to promote positive parenting for at-risk children. Keywords: intimate partner violence, parenting, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, emotion regulation, young children.
Intimate partner violence IPV is a significant public health problem affecting many children and families Hamby et al. IPV is defined as physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional abuse that occurs in a close relationship with a current or former spouse or partner Centers for Disease Control, This is particularly concerning for parents of young children, since they are at higher risk for exposure to IPV Gjelsvik et al.
