Researchers found that intimate partner violence is common among women reporting symptoms of post natal depression.
They found that depression was associated with physical and emotional abuse in 40% of women and that emotional abuse is more common that physical.
Participants for the study were 1,305 women pregnant for the first time and were between 6-24 weeks gestation. They were given questionaires on recruitment and at 3, 6 and 12 months pregnant.
After taking into account age and unemployment, the risk of depression was 3 times higher in women who had suffered emotional abuse and 4 times higher in those who suffered physical abuse.
Health professionals are advised to be aware of these findings and to regularly enquire about a women’s mental health especially during the 12 months after birth.
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