title: Risk factors for domestic violence during pregnancy: a meta-analytic review.
abstract: This article presents the results of a meta-analysis of the existing research literature, in an effort to increase our understanding of the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) among pregnant women, and of risk factors associated with DV during pregnancy. Across 92 independent studies, the average reported prevalence of emotional abuse was 28.4%, physical abuse was 13.8%, and sexual abuse was 8.0%. Composite odds ratio effect sizes were calculated for the demographic, behavioral, and social risk factors identified by 55 independent studies. Both victimization and perpetration risk factors were analyzed. Abuse before pregnancy and lower education level were found to be strong predictors of abuse during pregnancy. Pregnancy being unintended by either the victim or the perpetrator, lower socioeconomic status, and being unmarried were found to be moderate predictors of abuse during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4872, USA.
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brody
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*