| Author: | Chen, Xiaoyan |
| Title: | Intimate partner violence and depressive symptoms among pregnant women : trajectories, correlates, and impacts |
| Advisors: | Chan, Ko Ling Edward (APSS) Lo, Camilla (APSS) |
| Degree: | Ph.D. |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Subject: | Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects Intimate partner violence Depression, Mental Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Sciences |
| Pages: | xi, 124 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Background: Pregnancy is a pivotal stage with significant physical and hormonal changes, making women vulnerable to health and social challenges. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and depressive symptoms worsen these challenges, creating significant health risks for pregnant women. These challenges not only impact women's well-being but also have detrimental effects on the health and welfare of their children and families. However, different women may experience varied transitions over time. It is essential to examine the trajectories of IPV and depressive symptoms, along with their associated factors and impacts on their offspring. This research is essential for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. Methods: This dissertation encompasses a 3-year longitudinal study in Hong Kong aiming to examine trajectories of IPV and depressive symptoms over time, identify their correlates, and explore their impacts on children's biological health. I first conducted a meta-analysis with 19 studies to determine whether IPV increases or decreases during pregnancy. Additionally, using a 3-year longitudinal dataset, I further examined IPV and depressive symptom trajectories over time, their associated factors, and their mutual influence. Furthermore, differential impacts of IPV and depressive symptom trajectories on children's buccal telomere length (bTL) at the age of 3 were investigated. For data analysis, I conducted trajectory analyses, logistic, and linear regressions. Results: a) The meta-analysis revealed pooled prevalence estimates of IPV: 21.2% before pregnancy, 12.8% during pregnancy, and 14.7% after childbirth. While indicating a decrease in IPV during pregnancy, the prevalence after childbirth showed a subsequent increase from 12.8% to 24.0% beyond the first year. b) Based on the 3-year longitudinal data analysis, not all women experienced the same patterns of change in IPV over time: 11.8% of women suffered from chronic IPV, 20.6% reported decreased IPV, and 67.6% had no IPV. c) Variations were observed in depressive symptoms: 13.8% had relapsing/remitting depressive symptoms and 86.2% experienced persistent low symptoms. d) Adverse childhood experiences were risk factors for vulnerable groups (chronic IPV and relapsing/remitting depressive symptoms groups), while higher partner emotional involvement and family support were protective. e) IPV after childbirth could differentiate distinguish trajectories of depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms at any period can differentiate different trajectories of IPV. f) Children whose mothers belonged to the relapsing/remitting depressive symptoms group had a higher likelihood of having shorter bTL, a biomarker of children’s health, compared to the low-stable depressive symptoms group. Conclusion: Pregnancy does not protect women from IPV and depressive symptoms. Women exhibit diverse patterns of IPV and depressive symptoms, emphasizing the need for tailored intervention programs to address their specific needs. Screening for a history of adversity and providing adequate support can protect women from IPV and depressive symptoms. Lastly, maternal depressive symptoms negatively impact children's biomarkers of health. The findings highlight the significance of screening from pregnancy through the years after childbirth and strengthening collaboration among various sectors to enhance antenatal and postnatal care. Based on the research findings, implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed, aiming to improve the well-being of pregnant women and their families. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | open access |
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