Mother-to-Child Physical Violence in Turkiye: An Ecological Approach to Risk Factors

Ezgi Berktas, Hacettepe University
Mehmet Ali Eryurt, Hacettepe University

Violence against children remains a global concern, with family settings being a primary site of abuse. Despite efforts such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s Target 16.2 to eliminate all forms of violence against children, high rates of parent-to-child violence persist worldwide. This study investigates mother-to-child physical violence in Türkiye, using nationally representative data from the 2014 Research on Domestic Violence against Women. Employing an ecological framework and multivariate micro-level analyses, the research examines key risk factors at individual, familial, and social levels. Significant predictors include witnessing intra-parental violence during childhood, lower educational attainment, early age at first birth, working without social security, and justifying physical discipline. Familial factors, such as intra-parental and father-to-child violence, also increase the risk of violent parenting. Social factors, including residence in less developed regions like the south and smaller provinces, further exacerbate the risk. This research offers the first comprehensive analysis of mother-to-child violence in Türkiye, underscoring the need for multi-level prevention strategies. The findings aim to inform child protection policies by highlighting the interplay of individual, family, and societal influences on violent parenting, with the goal of fostering safer environments for children.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Gender Dynamics

See extended abstract.