The Impact of Domestic Violence Against Men on Their Children’s Social Adjustment, Aggression, and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Fathers’ Mental Health; Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence against men can have detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the mediating role of fathers’ mental health in the impact of domestic violence against men on their children’s social adjustment, aggression, and mental health. Methods: This study employed a design of structural equation modeling (path analysis). The statistical population consisted of 200 married men with children aged 5 to 12 years who visited health centers in Semnan city during the first half of the year 2023 and were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection tools included the Demographic Checklist, the Domestic Violence Against Men Questionnaire by Ghahari et al. (2005), the Social Adjustment Scale by Pickle and Weissman (1999), the Aggression Scale for Children and Adolescents by Nelson and Finch (2000), the Mental Health Assessment for Children and Adolescents by Najarian and Davodi (2001), and the Adult Mental Health Scale by Keyes et al. (2002). Statistical analyses, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and box plots, were employed to assess data integrity. Goodness of fit and model validity were evaluated using various indices, while structural equation modeling was applied to test research hypotheses, with data analyzed using Amos 22. Results: The mediating role of fathers’ mental health in the impact of domestic violence against men on their children’s social adjustment, aggression, and mental health was confirmed. Additionally, domestic violence against men had a significant direct effect on increasing aggression, decreasing social adjustment, and reducing the mental health of their children (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Health professionals should incorporate screening for domestic violence against men, and policymakers should increase awareness and education in society regarding domestic violence against men and its components.