Later Effects of Psychological Abuse During Pregnancy

Intimate partner violence affects 4% to 8% of pregnant women in the U.S. and is associated with postnatal depression. However, the effects of psychological violence on postpartum depression are unclear. To assess whether intimate partner violence during pregnancy, especially psychological abuse, is associated with later postnatal depression, researchers prospectively followed pregnant, mostly low-income women (age range, 18–49) enrolled in primary-care clinics in northeast Brazil through the postpartum period. Interviews took place during the third trimester and an average of 8 months later.

Of 1045 women with complete data, 321 (31%) reported partner violence during pregnancy. Psychological violence (insults, humiliation, intimidation, or t…