A systematic review of childhood exposure to intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes: Evidence from five African countries

Oyewole, Mayowa Rofiat and Lo, Chungwan and Mohammadnezhad, Masoud (2026) A systematic review of childhood exposure to intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes: Evidence from five African countries. Journal of Psychological Perspective, 8 (4). pp. 253-266. ISSN 2502-4825

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Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to physical, sexual, psychological, or controlling behaviours perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. Childhood IPV exposure is associated with many adverse mental health outcomes. Despite much evidence from high-income countries, evidence from Africa remains limited and unsynthesized. Following the PICO framework and PRISMA guidelines, this study searched six databases (African Journals Online, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL) for observational studies focusing on Africans who experienced childhood IPV and reported long-term mental health outcomes. Quality appraisal was conducted through the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies. The present review has synthesised data from five cross-sectional studies published between 2021 and 2022 and span five African countries (Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa). Childhood IPV exposure was prevalent and linked to adverse mental health outcomes, such as psychological distress, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Several factors were identified between childhood IPV exposure and mental health outcomes, such as gender, age, marital status, and attitudinal acceptance of IPV. Four studies were judged “good, “while non-random sampling and self-reporting were the main weaknesses. This mini-systematic review synthesised evidence from five studies across five African countries, identifying the association between childhood IPV exposure and long-term mental health outcomes. Although the current evidence base remains limited, the findings underscore childhood IPV as an important public health issue requiring coordinated prevention and intervention strategies. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, examine culturally specific protective and risk factors, and expand geographical coverage to better understand the mechanisms linking childhood IPV exposure to mental health across Africa.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.47679/jopp.8413352026
Dates:	Date Event 31 August 2026 Accepted 15 September 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	childhood exposure, intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health outcomes, Africa, mini-systematic review
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-04 - nursing and midwifery > CAH02-04-02 - adult nursing
Divisions:	Nursing and Midwifery > Adult Nursing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2026 13:31
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2026 13:31
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17266

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