Citation

Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Papadopoullos S, Mensah F, Hegarty K, Giallo R, Brown S. J. Affect. Disord. 2019; 251: 71-77.

Affiliation

Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia; Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. Electronic address: stephanie.brown@mcri.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2019.01.052

PMID

30904778

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the perinatal period, maternal mental health problems and intimate partner violence often co-occur. We aimed to examine associations between psychotropic medication use and intimate partner violence (IPV) in an Australian population-based sample.

METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 1507 first-time mothers recruited in early pregnancy (mean gestation 15 weeks) from public maternity hospitals in Melbourne Australia. Follow-up questionnaires at 12 months and four years included validated measures of intimate partner violence (Composite Abuse Scale), and maternal mental health (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, SF-36). Data on use of psychotropic medications was collected using a self-report measure at four years postpartum.

RESULTS: At four years postpartum, almost one in eight mothers (13.9%) were taking psychotropic medication. The prevalence of psychotropic medication use in women experiencing concurrent IPV was considerably higher compared to women not experiencing IPV (25% vs 11%, Odds Ratio = 2.68, 95% CI 1.73-4.15). Women experiencing IPV were significantly more likely to be taking psychotropic medication, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and depressive symptoms (Adj OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.96). Only 5% of women reporting IPV at four years postpartum had discussed this with a general practitioner. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include use of a self-report measure to assess psychotropic medication use, lack of data on the use of psychological counselling and/or other specialist mental health services and potential for attrition to bias results (addressed using multiple imputation).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reinforce the need for health professionals treating women for depressive symptoms to inquire about IPV and tailor responses accordingly.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Cohort study; Intimate partner violence; Maternal anxiety; Maternal depression; Psychotropic medication