Intimate partner violence and children’s cognitive development

The article explores the far-reaching consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children's cognitive development, drawing on data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) to assess educational outcomes at ages 7 and 11. It reveals that children exposed to IPV experience significant negative impacts on their academic performance, particularly in subjects like Science and Mathematics, which rely on cumulative knowledge. The research employs both contemporaneous and ever-IPV definitions to examine the timing and persistence of these effects, utilizing advanced econometric techniques to control for potential biases. Key findings indicate that while no significant effects are observed at age 7, substantial disparities emerge by age 11, underscoring the critical need for early interventions to mitigate the long-term educational consequences of domestic violence. The study also highlights the importance of considering the dynamic complementarity of skills in understanding the differential impacts of IPV on various academic subjects, providing valuable insights for policymakers and educators.