Does family size affect the prevalence of domestic violence? Using nationally representative survey data from Samoa, which has among the world’s highest fertility rates, the author extends the classic work on child quantity-quality trade-offs to also consider domestic violence.

The author finds evidence of a direct causal link between family size and an increased prevalence of intimate partner violence by, on average, 5 percentage points, equivalent to a 13 percent increase from the mean. This significant effect is largely driven by physical or sexual abuse often associated with serious victim injuries. 

The findings also suggest that larger families tend to have attitudes that condone violent behaviour. The normalisation of violent behaviour in larger families may be linked to a lack of resources available to effectively address and resolve conflicts, ultimately contributing to an increased likelihood of violent incidents. These findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the potential victimisation risks for larger families and the importance of integrated family planning and domestic violence prevention efforts.