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Review
. 2018 Sep:114:18-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.05.024. Epub 2018 May 30.

Preventing intimate partner violence through paid parental leave policies

Ashley Schappell D'Inverno  1 , Dennis E Reidy  2 , Megan C Kearns  2
Affiliations
Review

Preventing intimate partner violence through paid parental leave policies

Ashley Schappell D'Inverno et al. Prev Med. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Paid parental leave policies have the potential to strengthen economic supports, reduce family discord, and provide opportunities to empower women (Basile et al., 2016; Niolon et al., 2017). In this article, we present a theory of change and evidence to suggest how paid parental leave may impact intimate partner violence (IPV). In doing so, we present three mechanisms of change (i.e., reduction in financial stress, increase in egalitarian parenting practices, and promotion of child/parent bonding) through which paid parental leave could reduce rates of IPV. We also describe limitations of the current state of knowledge in this area, as well as opportunities for future research. Ultimately, our goal is to facilitate the identification and implementation of approaches that have the potential to reduce violence at the population level. Paid parental leave embodies the potential of policies to change societal-level factors and serve as an important prevention strategy for IPV.

Keywords: Intimate partner violence; Paid parental leave; Policy; Prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Theory of Change Model: How Paid Parental Leave Could Impact Intimate Partner Violence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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