The relationship between postpartum depression and intimate partner violence

Abstract

AimIt has been suggested that intimate partner violence (IPV) triggers de-pression. We aim to examine the effect of exposure to IPV on women who ex-perience postpartum depression as compared with postpartum women with-out depression.MethodThe study sample included 128 women whose week 4 postpartum check was done in Family Practice. A psychiatric evaluation was completed for 128 postpartum women with no history of mental illness or drug use. We administered the Edinburgh Postpartum De-pression Scale (EPDS) and a sociodemographic form. A statistical analysis of the women’s exposure to IPV was assessed in relation to their levels of de-pression as measured by the EPDS along with their sociodemographic char-acteristics.ResultsPostpartum depression was detected in 56.3% (n=72) of the women. The average age and length of marriage of the women showing depression were found to be statistically significantly higher than for those that did not score as depressed (respectively p=0.035 and p=0.003). Rates of exposure to emotional and physical abuse were statistically significantly higher for depressed women (respectively p<0.001 ve p=0.047). We did not find any significant differences between the groups in terms of their exposure to economic and sexual abuse.ConclusionEmotional abuse is an important risk factor in the development of postpartum depression. Greater length of marriage and exposure to emotional abuseboth increase the risk for post-partum depression. Mental health personnel should focus on the traumatic effects of emotional abuse. Larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies are needed to further support these finding.

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