title: Intimate partner violence and the experience of early motherhood: A cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with a poor experience of motherhood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence and other factors associated with the experience of early motherhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  cross sectional secondary data analysis (n=1534) from MOVE: a cluster randomised controlled trial that evaluated a model of enhanced nurse screening and supportive care for abused women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  postpartum women attending community based maternal and child health clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  survey included the Experience of Motherhood Questionnaire; measures of partner abuse, depression, anxiety, stress and social support. Multivariable robust regression analysis used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  independent of other factors, abused women were more likely to have a poorer mothering experience (Adj b=2.01, 95% CI=0.78, 3.25). Poor mental health, abuse as a child and being born overseas were also associated with a poor experience. Busy mothers who had a multiple birth and those balancing work and study simultaneously had higher experience of motherhood scores, indicating a poorer experience. Social support was protective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  exposure to partner violence is adversely associated with early motherhood, independent of other correlates of poor motherhood experience. Greater awareness of factors associated with intimate partner violence and mothering would enable health care professionals and policy makers to improve support for women and children experiencing violence.
authors.affiliation: Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. Electronic address: l.hooker@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Leesa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hooker
authors.affiliation: Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. Electronic address: yasindu.samaraweera6@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nayana Yasindu
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Samaraweera
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. Electronic address: pagius@burnet.edu.au.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.affiliation: Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. Electronic address: a.taft@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taft
mesh_terms: D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Experience of motherhood; Intimate partner violence; Maternal and child health nurse; Social support