Pacific Islands families study: intimate partner violence and postnatal depression.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the association between maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) and postnatal depression (PND) 6 weeks after giving birth.


METHODS
Data were gathered from the Pacific Islands Families Study. Mothers of a cohort of Pacific infants born in Auckland, New Zealand during 2000 were interviewed 6 weeks after giving birth. There were 1,085 mothers cohabiting in married or de-facto partnerships who completed measures of IPV and PND at the 6-week assessment point.


RESULTS
Women who were victims of physical violence were more likely to report postnatal depressive symptoms than those who were not (29.6% vs. 10.9%, OR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.42, 4.97). The adjusted odds remained statistically significant (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.52, 3.60).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that being the victim of physical violence more than doubles the risk of PND. The results of the study may help to develop culturally appropriate social services and policies for Pacific women.
Gao
Wanzhen
W
National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, New Zealand. Wanzhen.gao@aut.ac.nz
Paterson
Janis
J
Abbott
Max
M
Carter
Sarnia
S
Iusitini
Leon
L
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult