According to a study published in the November 2008 issue of Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, women who are victims of intimate partner violence seek health care for their infants significantly more often than non-abused women. The University of Missouri (MU) researchers who conducted the study advise doctors to be aware of mothers who frequently have health concerns for their infants, as it may be an indicator of being in an abusive relationship.
It has been well documented that pregnant women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) before, during or after pregnancy are more likely to be depressed and more likely to experience higher rates of post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and chronic mental illness. Abused women generally seek additional health care for themselves, but few studies have looked at the relationship between IPV and infant health care requests.
Co-author Linda Bullock (professor, MU Sinclair School of Nursing) says that, “Health care providers should view frequent calls or visits for common infant health concerns as red flags.” She adds: “Although it can be difficult for providers to see beyond immediate concerns, the findings suggest that considering only voiced concerns may represent lost opportunities to intervene on more critical health matters that impact mothers and children. Providers have a chance to help mothers who may not voice concerns about intimate partner violence.”
The study consisted of 616 low-income, rural mothers who were asked if they were abused or not abused and then asked how frequently they talk to a doctor or nurse about their infant’s health. Of the women who experienced intimate partner violence, more than 60% sought health consultations for their infants. For comparison, less than 54% of non-abused women sought such consultations. Abused women were not only more likely to seek infant care, but they also reported more stress and depression and received less support than non-abused women. The researchers suggest that increased infant care may be driven by significant maternal stress, and the women are likely seeking help for themselves when they are seeking care for their children.
Pediatric and women’s clinics have a standard policy of screening for IPV and educating all women, according to Bullock. Although women may not raise direct concerns about their own safety, several calls and visits to physicians may indicate IPV.
“The most powerful intervention may be as simple as repeated screening for IPV throughout pregnancy and post-delivery visits,” concludes Bullock. “Providers have a chance to help mothers who may not directly seek the necessary resources to help themselves. Referrals to support programs such as battered women’s services, counseling, parenting support and financial services can make a positive impact on the lives of women and infants.”
Rural Mothers Experiencing the Stress of Intimate Partner Violence or Not: Their Newborn Health Concerns
Kathleen K. Ellis RN, MSN, Chiunghsin Chang MS, Shreya Bhandari MSW, Katharine Ball MS, Elizabeth Geden RN, PhD, Kevin D. Everett PhD and Linda Bullock RN, PhD
Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health (2008). 53(6): pp. 556-562.
doi:10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.05.012
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Written by: Peter M Crosta