Risk factors for postpartum depression among abused and nonabused women.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to compare risk factors for postpartum depression among women exposed vs not exposed to intimate partner violence and to assess the timing of abuse in relation to postpartum depression.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey, a telephone survey at 5-10 months postpartum. Survey questions were adapted from the Canadian Violence Against Women Survey and the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Among abused women, younger (15-19 years), and older (35 years old and older), age was associated with postpartum depression, adjusted odds ratio (aOR, 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-4.51) and (aOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.02-5.34) as was unemployment (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.06-1.84), foreign birth (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.35-3.09], and low income (aOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.25-2.25) among nonabused women. Postpartum depression was significantly associated with abuse occurring only prior to pregnancy (aOR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.86-5.81), starting postpartum (aOR, 4.76; 95% CI, 1.41-16.02), and resuming postpartum (aOR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.22-11.88).


CONCLUSIONS
Among pregnant women, subgroups defined by abuse exposure differ in their risk profile for postpartum depression.
School of Population and Public Health and the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. patti.janssen@ubc.ca
Patricia A
PA
Janssen
Maureen I
MI
Heaman
Marcelo L
ML
Urquia
Patricia J
PJ
O'Campo
Kellie R
KR
Thiessen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult