Physical Health in Preschool Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Exposure to violence and traumatic events during childhood has long been associated with poor physical and psychological health
during adulthood. Very few studies, however, have taken steps to understand the immediate relationship between exposure to
intimate partner violence (IPV) and physical health problems in young children. In this study, we examined the mother-reported
physical health problems of 102 preschool-age children who have been exposed to IPV. We found that children exhibiting more
traumatic stress symptoms displayed fewer total health problems; however, gastrointestinal problems and asthma were related
to poor psychological adjustment. We also found that preschool-age girls were more likely to display health problems than
boys. Future studies of the physical health consequences of exposure to IPV in young children would benefit from examinations
of specific changes in physiological processes to draw conclusions about the effects of violence on immune system functioning
and physical health.