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Intimate partner violence and children’s cognitive development

Author

Listed:
  • Mireia Jofre-Bonet

    (Office of Health Economics
    City, University of London)

  • Melcior Rossello Roig

    (National Health Service (NHS) England)

  • Victoria Serra-Sastre

    (Office of Health Economics
    City, University of London
    London School of Economics and Political Science)

Abstract

This study examines how intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the educational outcomes of children living in violent households. We employ data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal survey that follows about 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000–2001. We use their educational performance measures in English, Science, Mathematics, Physical Education, Creativity, and Information and Technology at ages 7 and 11. We find that children exposed to IPV have worse educational outcomes. Children living with abused mothers have lower scores in English and Maths by age 11. These results remain consistent across different definitions of IPV and remains significant even after controlling for potential sample selection bias. Subjects that require prior knowledge, such as Maths and Science, are more strongly affected.

Suggested Citation

  • Mireia Jofre-Bonet & Melcior Rossello Roig & Victoria Serra-Sastre, 2025. "Intimate partner violence and children’s cognitive development," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 69(2), pages 1001-1046, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:69:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s00181-025-02746-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-025-02746-9
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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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