Exposure to family and domestic violence is associated with lower attendance and higher suspension in school children

Carol Orr; Colleen Fisher; Megan Bell; Melissa O'Donnell; Karen Martin; Rebecca Glauert; David Preen

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105594

Exposure to family and domestic violence is associated with lower attendance and higher suspension in school children

Child Abuse Negl. 2023 Aug;142(Pt 1):105594. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105594. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Authors

Carol Orr¹, Colleen Fisher², Megan Bell², Melissa O'Donnell³, Karen Martin², Rebecca Glauert⁴, David Preen²

Affiliations

¹ The School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: carol.orr@uwa.edu.au.
² The School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
³ The Australian Centre for Child Protection, The University of South Australia. GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
⁴ Raine Study, The University of Western Australia. 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.

PMID: 35459527
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105594

Abstract

Background: Exposure to family and domestic violence (FDV) in childhood can have a detrimental effect on children's health and social outcomes. However, research on the school outcomes of children exposed to FDV is scant.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of FDV exposure on school attendance and suspension in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children.

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study of school children, in grade 1 to 10, born from 1993 to 2006 in Western Australia (n = 26,743) using linked administrative data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to determine the association with school attendance and suspension outcomes for children exposed to FDV compared to non-exposed children.

Results: Compared to non-exposed children, children exposed to FDV have an increase of poor school attendance: Aboriginal children adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.75-2.07, non-Aboriginal children aOR = 2.42, 95%CI: 2.12-2.75. FDV-exposed children also have an increased risk of school suspension: Aboriginal children aOR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.47-1.74, non-Aboriginal children aOR = 2.68, 95%CI: 2.35-3.05, compared to non-exposed counterparts.

Conclusion: Exposure to FDV is associated with an increased odds of poor school attendance and school suspension. Evidence-based and innovative strategies are needed to support children who are exposed to FDV. This involves responding in ways that does not cause further trauma to children; a restorative and trauma-informed approach is vital.

Keywords: Attendance; Domestic violence; Education; Intimate partner violence; Suspension; Violence exposure.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Domestic Violence*
Exposure to Violence*
Humans
Retrospective Studies
Schools
Students