Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: victim or perpetrator? Does it make a difference?

Abstract

Objectives To differentiate between forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) (victim only, perpetrator only, or participating in reciprocal violence) and examine risk profiles and pregnancy outcomes. Design Prospective Setting Washington, DC, July 2001 to October 2003 Sample 1044 high-risk African-American pregnant women who participated in a randomized controlled trial to address IPV, depression, smoking, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Methods Multivariable linear and logistic regression Main outcome measures Low and very low birth weight, preterm and very preterm birth Results 5% of women were victims only, 12% were perpetrators only, 27% participated in reciprocal violence, and 55% reported no IPV. Women reporting reciprocal violence in the past year were more likely to drink, use illicit drugs, and experience environmental tobacco smoke exposure and were less likely to be very happy about their pregnancies. Women reporting any type of IPVwere more likely to be depressed than those reporting no IPV. Women experiencing reciprocal violence reported highest levels of depression. Women who were victims of IPV were more likely to give birth prior prematurely and deliver low and very low birth weight infants. Conclusions We conclude that women were at highest risk for pregnancy risk factors when they participated in reciprocal violence and thus might be at higher risk for long-term consequences, but women who were victims of intimate partner violence were more likely to show proximal negative outcomes like preterm birth and low birth weight. Different types of interventions may be needed for these two forms of intimate partner violence.

The Consequences of Violence During Pregnancy for Both Fetus and Newborn: Systematic Review / Implicações para o Feto e Recém-Nascido da Violência Durante a Gestação: Revisão Sistemática

“…In another study, now of the type controlled clinical trial conducted with high-risk pregnant women in Washington, USA, it was observed that battered women were about 2.5 times more likely to have a child with LBW, an increase of approximately six-fold in the infants birth of very low birth weight (<1,500 g). 24 These findings corroborate with other studies listed in this review. 9,11,13,14,20,24,28,29 On the other hand, against these results, three studies did not find an association between intimate partner violence and low birth weight (p>0.05).…”

“…24 These findings corroborate with other studies listed in this review. 9,11,13,14,20,24,28,29 On the other hand, against these results, three studies did not find an association between intimate partner violence and low birth weight (p>0.05). 10,16,30 Another finding in this review was the studies that associated violence with small to gestational age (SGA).…”

“…5 Being a victim of physical violence during gestation increased by 1.6 (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.00-2.57), or about four times less than 34 weeks (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1,1-11,6). 24 In the same sense, a study carried out in the Brazilian regions showed that household violence in pregnancy is associated with a higher chance of preterm birth (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.23-4.18). 22 Similar to that described previously, a survey conducted in Peru indicates an increased chance of occurrence of prematurity among women who were victims of violence by about two times (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.49-2.93) compared to those not victimized.…”

“…The population sample studied varied from 131 6 to 8,961. 25 Regarding the population type, there were women in reproductive age, 9,[12][13][14]21 pregnant women, 4,6,11,16,19,20,22,24,26,[28][29][30][31] puerperal women, 10,17 and studies whose population was neonates. 4,8,15,23 It is interesting to note that of the 27 eligible articles, 8 studies were carried out in Brazil, 10,15,16,18,19,22,25,30 where five were in the Southeast region 15,16,18,25,30 and one in the Northeast region, 10 another one in the South region 19 and one is a national study.…”

Psychological and relational correlates of intimate partner violence profiles among pregnant adolescent couples

“…Surprisingly, couples with a male IPV victim only were the most prevalent group experiencing IPV, followed by couples with mutual IPV, and finally couples with a female IPV victim only. A randomized controlled trial delivering a behavioral intervention with a similar study population (urban minority women in prenatal care) found that while male victimization was more common than female victimization, mutual IPV was most prevalent during pregnancy (Shneyderman & Kiely, 2013). That study included adults and thus more cohabitating couples; mutual violence is more common if cohabitating (Cui, Ueno, Gordon, & Fincham, 2013).…”