Contributing factors associated with violence against children and intimate partner violence against women in households in southern Senegal

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) and violent discipline of children frequently co-occur, but are rarely addressed jointly in public health research or programming. In Senegal, both IPV and violent discipline are prevalent, particularly in rural regions, yet little is known about their intersection within households. This study investigates factors associated with IPV and violent discipline among young couples in southeastern Senegal and explores pathways between violence-related attitudes, social norms, IPV, and violence against children. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional baseline survey of 330 heterosexual couples (fathers aged 18–35 and their partners) in two rural communes in Senegal as part of a quasi-experimental evaluation of the REAL Fathers Initiative. Structured interviews assessed self-reported IPV, violent discipline of under-five children, social norms, parenting practices, and relationship quality. Multivariate logistic regressions and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to identify predictors of IPV and violent discipline and test hypothesized pathways between them. Results Over half of couples (57%) reported IPV in the past three months; 89% of mothers and 71% of fathers reported using violent discipline. Mothers reported more frequent use of physical and harsh discipline than fathers. Among men, attitudes and injunctive norms supporting violence were significantly associated with physical discipline. Among women, higher education and confidence in nonviolent parenting were associated with lower likelihood of violent discipline. SEM showed a significant pathway from IPV to fathers’ use of physical violent discipline, with additional indirect effects through maternal violence. Conclusions Findings reveal high co-occurrence of IPV and violent discipline, shared risk factors, and evidence of interlinked pathways between partner and child-directed violence. These results underscore the need for integrated interventions targeting both forms of violence within the family system and support social norm change and parenting skills among young couples.