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

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.8413352026

Keywords:

childhood exposure, intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health outcomes, Africa, mini-systematic review

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.

Author Biographies

Mayowa Rofiat Oyewole, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

M.R.O.: Mayowa Rofiat Oyewole holds a BSc in Physiology and a Master’s degree in Public Health and Community Wellbeing. Her research interests include healthcare systems, clinical research, and the application of public health strategies to improve patient and population health outcomes. She has contributed to projects aimed at advancing evidence-based practice and strengthening health research delivery. Her interdisciplinary interests include integrating physiological science and public health approaches to address complex health challenges and improve healthcare delivery.

Chungwan Lo, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany

Chungwan Lo is a public health researcher with a multidisciplinary academic background spanning nutrition, education, science, and European public health. He holds a BSc in Nutrition, a BSc in Education, an MSc in Science, and an MPH in European Public Health, with academic experience across Taiwan, Mexico, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. His research interests include dietary behavior (sugar-sweetened beverages), food-based dietary guidelines, implementation science, digital public health, and evidence synthesis, with a particular focus on health promotion, NCD prevention, and international collaboration.

Masoud Mohammadnezhad, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK

M.M: Dr. Masoud Mohammadnezhad is an Associate Professor of Health Research with over 25 years of international teaching and research experience. He holds a BSc in Public Health Nursing, an MSc in Health Promotion, and a PhD in Public Health from Flinders University, Australia. Dr. Mohammadnezhad has taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs across Australia, the UK, Cyprus, Thailand, New Zealand, Fiji, and Iran. His research focuses on non-communicable diseases—including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory conditions—examining their social determinants and developing interventions to reduce health disparities. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, and presented at over 80 international conferences.

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2026-09-15

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Rofiat Oyewole, M., Lo, C., & Mohammadnezhad, M. (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), 253–266. https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.8413352026

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Vol. 8 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Literature Review

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