Association Between Unmet Needs in Health Care and Social Services and Exposure to Violence Among Parents

ObjectiveExisting research has shown that parental exposure to violence has negative consequences on health outcomes, but the effect of such exposure on unmet health care and social service need is unknown. This study aims to investigate the association between unmet health care and social services and parental violence exposure among parents with children.Study DesignThis study used the data of 6289 parents aged 18-60 years who had at least one child under 18 years living in the same household. Parental violence exposure was measured. Unmet child and adult health care and social service need was operationalized through questions on the services needed, those that had not been received, and those that were considered inadequate.ResultsParents who experienced any kind of violence had more unmet service need. There were more women among parents with violence experience (65.4%) than those with no violence experience (51.9%). Violence experience increased the odds of unmet need for general adult healthcare services (OR 2.02, CI 1.64-2.57), maternity and child health clinics (OR 2.52, CI 2.00-3.18), family guidance clinics and home help (OR 2.38, CI 1.60-3.54), mental health or child welfare services (OR 2.05, CI 1.52-2.75), and school health care (OR 1.99, 1.50-2.65). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the associations between exposure to violence experience and unmet needs for healthcare and social services remained statistically significant.ConclusionViolence in close relationships profoundly impacts health and well-being. By addressing unmet health care needs and supporting parents, we can break the cycle of violence and promote better mental health outcomes. Preventive policies and early interventions are essential to mitigate the consequences of violence in families. What is Already Known?It has been suggested that parents' violence experience has an independent impact on service need. However, studies addressing the impact of any violence experience from an intimate partner or other persons in a close relationship on healthcare and social service use have shown varying results, but it has been demonstrated that violence experience impairs the use of health services.What this Article Adds?This work, extensively examines several child and family services, highlights the need to invest in health-care and social services for parents with violence experience and with children. Service options should be sensitive to parents' needs while offering child, adult, or family-based support. Even different types and levels of services do not necessarily help parents with any kind of violence experience find adequate assistance, but such efforts could reduce unmet child healthcare needs in vulnerable families.