TY - JOUR PY - 2019// TI - Synergistic effects of psychological intimate partner violence exposure and gender discrimination on postnatal mental health trajectories JO - Journal of interpersonal violence A1 - Dawson, Danyelle N. A1 - Volpe, Vanessa V. A1 - Laurent, Heidemarie K. SP - 886260519844274 EP - 886260519844274 VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - While the literature examining physical intimate partner violence (IPV) is extensive, the impact of psychological IPV on mental health during high-risk times such as the period following childbirth is not well understood. The current study examined associations between psychological IPV and the course and severity of women's postnatal mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms). Both main effects of psychological IPV exposure and possible exacerbation by broader social victimization (i.e., gender discrimination) were considered. Participants were 76 mothers from a larger longitudinal study, who completed self-report measures of IPV, gender discrimination, and affective symptoms at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postnatal. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed a main effect of psychological IPV on the course of trauma symptoms only. As hypothesized, gender discrimination moderated the effect of psychological IPV on all symptom trajectories in a synergistic manner. At moderate to high levels of gender discrimination only, psychological IPV predicted higher affective symptom severity and an escalating course of postnatal anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of expanding current conceptualizations of IPV impacts to incorporate relevant aspects of individuals' social-ecological context. Future directions and implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0886-2605 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260519844274 ID - ref1 ER -