Intimate-Partner Psychological Violence Associated with Postpartum Depression

Physician's First Watch

" Intimate-partner violence during pregnancy — especially psychological violence — is strongly associated with postpartum depression, according to a Lancet study.

"Researchers prospectively followed some 1000 Brazilian women from their third trimester. Those reporting intimate-partner violence of a physical or sexual nature during pregnancy were over three times as likely to suffer postpartum depression. That increase was greatly attenuated after adjustment for psychological violence (e.g., insults, humiliation, or intimidation). However, women experiencing the highest frequencies of psychological violence were over twice as likely to suffer postpartum depression, even after adjustment for physical or sexual violence."

"A commentator recommends that guidelines on detecting abuse during pregnancy "should include questions about emotional abuse, as well as physical and sexual abuse."

Lancet Article (Free abstract)