The Article in Brief

Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, and PTSD among Pregnant Latina Women

Michael A. Rodriguez, MD, MPH , and colleagues

Background Among Latinas in the United States, approximately 6% experience intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and 5% experience IPV in the period just before or after giving birth. This study describes factors related to depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among pregnant Latinas in Los Angeles, California, with and without exposure to IPV.

What This Study Found Pregnant Latinas who are exposed to IPV are more than twice as likely to report high levels of symptoms of depression or posttraumatic stress disorder compared with other pregnant Latinas. They also report being exposed to more trauma (such as child abuse), social undermining (anger, criticism, insults), and stress with less social support. Despite such adversity, Latinas exposed to IPV report similar levels of resilience and mastery as their counterparts, and they engage in more active coping behaviors.

Implications

• These results affirm the link between mental health and trauma and emphasize the importance of screening Latina patients for violence and mental health status.
• Focusing on how Latinas can utilize their own strengths to confront these complex issues may result in strategies that are culturally appropriate and effective in powerfully personal ways.