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Intimate partner violence and suicidal ideation in pregnant women

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Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a major public health issue with significant implications for maternal mental health. Less studied is the association between IPV during pregnancy and suicidal ideation. This study reports the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among low-income pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a university obstetrical clinic from February 2009 to March 2010. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 166 women surveyed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS). Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with antenatal suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 22.89 %. In the fully adjusted model, antenatal depressive symptomatology (OR = 17.04; 95 % CI 2.10–38.27) and experiencing IPV (OR = 9.37; 95 % CI 3.41–25.75) were significantly associated with an increased risk of antenatal suicidal ideation. The prevalence of antenatal suicidal ideation in the current study was higher than other population-based samples though this sample was predominantly single, low-income, and 19 % experienced IPV during pregnancy. Given the strong association of antenatal suicidal ideation, depressive symptomatology, and IPV, health care providers are urged to identify those women at risk so that antenatal care can be tailored to best support optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research (F31 NR010957), and the National Center for Research Resources (5KL2RR025006), a component of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Jeanne L. Alhusen, N. Frohman & Genevieve Purcell

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  1. Jeanne L. Alhusen
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  2. N. Frohman
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  3. Genevieve Purcell
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Correspondence to Jeanne L. Alhusen.

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Alhusen, J.L., Frohman, N. & Purcell, G. Intimate partner violence and suicidal ideation in pregnant women. Arch Womens Ment Health 18, 573–578 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0515-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0515-2

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