Abstract
Research on psychological violence has suggested it is common among perinatal women and is predictive of later physical violence. Psychological violence is also a strong correlate of negative mental and physical health outcomes and may influence engagement in health services. Both physical and mental health care are of critical importance for perinatal women who may be especially vulnerable to psychological violence and its deleterious effects. This study examined the clinical records of 299 perinatal patients who received treatment in a psychiatric partial hospital program to determine whether there were differences in utilization of care between those women with and without current interpersonal psychological abuse. More women than expected who reported current psychological abuse left treatment early compared to those without such reports.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge Carlene Fiorito for her work as a research assistant on the project as well as the staff and patients at the Women and Infants Day Hospital. We also thank Ralitsa Todorova, Susan Martin, Pauline Augere, Cynthia Citano, Cheryl Santos, Toni Amaral, Julie Quattrucci, and Petra Smith for their assistance.
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The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.
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Creech, S., Davis, K., Howard, M. et al. Psychological/verbal abuse and utilization of mental health care in perinatal women seeking treatment for depression. Arch Womens Ment Health 15, 361–365 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0294-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0294-y