The potential pathway from maternal intimate partner violence to early childhood development through height-for-age z-score: evidence from 10 low- and middle-income countries

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by mothers is negatively associated with early childhood development (ECD). However, whether IPV is related to ECD through height-for-age z-score (HAZ) remains unclear. Methods This study combined cross-sectional data from the latest Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 10 low-and middle-income countries, encompassing 4,448 mother–child dyads, with mothers aged 15 to 49 and children aged 36 to 59 months. ECD was evaluated using the early childhood development index. IPV was assessed using the modified Conflict Tactics Scale, including three forms of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV. And HAZ was calculated to reflect child growth. Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the pathways from IPV and its different forms to ECD through HAZ in total mother–child dyads, mother-girl dyads, and mother-boy dyads separately. Results Any IPV was related to lower HAZ, which was further associated with higher likelihood of off-track development in total mother–child dyads and mother-girl dyads. Physical and sexual IPV were associated with ECD through HAZ in total mother–child dyads, mother-girl dyads, and mother-boy dyads. The indirect effects accounted for 7.2–9.2, 9.5–14.1, and 8.5–13.4% of the total effects of any, physical, and sexual IPV on ECD, respectively. Conclusion The study suggested a potential pathway from IPV to ECD through HAZ. The findings highlight the importance of developing gender-tailored interventions targeting IPV to promote child growth and ECD.