Domestic violence’s impact on maternal–child relationship and child behavior: a nursing study from Egypt

Abstract Background Domestic violence is a global public health concern that negatively affects maternal mental health, parent–child relationships, and child behavioral outcomes. Attachment theory suggests that disruptions in maternal sensitivity and caregiving due to violence can compromise children’s emotional security and development. Aim To evaluate the impact of domestic violence on maternal–child relationship quality and child behavior among pre-school and school-aged children in Egypt. Design Descriptive correlational study.Setting: Maternal and Child Health Center, Assiut, Egypt. Participants A convenience sample of 100 mothers with children aged 3–12 years. Methods Data collection involved a Personal Data Questionnaire, the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Scale for Family Violence. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, Chi-square, logistic regression, and ANOVA to examine associations and predictors. Results Most mothers (58%) reported low levels of violence exposure. Severity of violence was strongly associated with maternal post-traumatic stress ( r = .648, p < .001) and child behavioral problems ( r = .650, p < .001) and negatively associated with mother–child relationship quality ( r = –.185, p = .066). Regression analyses indicated that violence significantly predicted maternal PTSD and children’s clinical behavioral concerns, whereas demographic factors such as child age and maternal education moderated mother–child relationship outcomes. Conclusion Exposure to domestic violence adversely affects maternal mental health and children’s behavioral outcomes, potentially compromising the mother–child relationship. These findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at supporting maternal caregiving sensitivity, promoting secure parent–child attachment, and mitigating the effects of violence on family well-being in the Egyptian context.