Physical and mental health of women exposed to intimate partner violence in the 10 years after having their first child: an Australian prospective cohort study of first-time mothers

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate mental and physical health of mothers exposed to recent and early postpartum intimate partner violence (IPV) in the 10 years after having their first child.DesignProspective pregnancy cohort study.SettingWomen were recruited at six metropolitan public maternity hospitals in Melbourne, Australia and followed up at 1, 4 and 10 years post partum.Study measuresExposure to physical and/or emotional IPV was measured using the Composite Abuse Scale at 1, 4 and 10 years. At 10-year follow-up, mothers reported on physical and mental health, and functional health status.Participants1507 first-time mothers enrolled at mean of 15 weeks’ gestation.ResultsOne in three women experienced IPV during the 10 years after having their first child. Women experiencing recent IPV (19.1%) reported worse physical and mental health than women not reporting IPV. Compared with women not reporting IPV, women experiencing recent IPV had higher odds of poor functional health status (Adj OR=4.5, 95% CI 3.2 to 6.3), back pain (Adj OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9), incontinence (Adj OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6), depressive symptoms (Adj OR=4.9, 95% CI 3.2 to 7.5), anxiety (Adj OR=5.1, 95% CI 3.0 to 8.6) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Adj OR=7.2, 95% CI 4.6 to 11.1) at 10 years. Women with past IPV at 1 and/or 4 years (15.7% of the cohort) also had higher odds of physical and mental health problems. There was evidence of a gradient in health outcomes by recency of exposure to IPV.ConclusionsBoth recent and past exposure to IPV are associated with poor maternal physical and mental health 10 years after a first birth. Health services and advocacy organisations providing support to women need to be aware of the consistent relationship between IPV and a range of physical and mental health conditions, which may persist even after IPV appears to have ceased.

Sexist Myths Emergency Healthcare Professionals and Factors Associated with the Detection of Intimate Partner Violence in Women

“…Globally, it is estimated that at least 30% of women who have had an intimate relationship have been victims of physical and/or sexual violence by their partner or former partner, psychological abuse being the most frequent type of violence [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Due to its magnitude, and because of the severe consequences for women’s and their children’s health, it is deemed a first-order public health issue [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Furthermore, although there are few data, reports from China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain, indicate that the number of IPV cases reported, the number of victims requesting help, and the severity of injuries have increased since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 7 , 10 , 11 ].…”

The maternal health study: Study design update for a prospective cohort of first‐time mothers and their firstborn children from birth to age ten

“…At 10‐year follow‐up, women who had experienced recent IPV (in the previous 12 months) had odds of depressive, anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms that were three to five times higher than women never reporting IPV after accounting for maternal age at first birth, relationship status at ten years and prior mental health symptoms 57 . Recent IPV was also associated with higher odds of poor functional health status, back pain and urinary incontinence 55 . Women with past IPV at one and/or four years (15.7% of the cohort) also had higher odds of physical and mental health problems.…”

“…Follow‐up at four and ten years postpartum showed that tiredness, back pain, incontinence and sexual health issues (eg dyspareunia) continue to be common experiences throughout the first ten years of motherhood. There is no evidence that urinary or faecal incontinence decrease over this period, although symptoms were more often intermittent rather than persistent 54,55 …”

“…Women with past IPV at one and/or four years (15.7% of the cohort) also had higher odds of physical and mental health problems. There was evidence of a gradient in health outcomes by recency of exposure to IPV 55 …”

Development, acceptability and construct validity of the Aboriginal Women’s Experiences of Partner Violence Scale (AEPVS): a co-designed, multiphase study nested within an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander birth cohort

“…1 An Australian longitudinal study of over 1500 first-time mothers found that more than one in three women experienced IPV in the decade after having their first child. 2 Indigenous women are disproportionately impacted by family and community violence due to ongoing impacts of colonisation, including: racism and discrimination; disconnection from traditional lands, culture and language; policies of forced child removal; and constant grief and loss. 3–6 There is mounting evidence of the long-term health consequences of IPV for women and children.…”