Intimate Partner Violence and Depression Screening of Mothers with Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Am J Perinatol
; 41(13): 1789-1796, 2024 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38423031
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of partner violence and depression in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) mothers. STUDYDESIGN:
This was a descriptive study. Mothers were screened in a safe room away from their partner with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Abuse Assessment Screen Tool (AAS) within 2 days of the newborn's admission. The EPDS was administered again 2 weeks later and then at discharge.RESULTS:
Nearly 20% of mothers reported on the AAS that they had experienced physical abuse since pregnancy. Abuse significantly predicted baseline depression 48 hours after delivery. A significant relationship emerged between depression and past year partner violence, with 100% experiencing abuse in the past year after pregnancy. Regular hospital intake questions underreported NICU mothers' partner violence experience and feelings of depression.CONCLUSION:
There was a marked difference between what mothers reported in their health history at admission versus evidence-based surveys in a private setting. These results challenge assumptions that accurate screening happens at hospital admission. It is imperative to use evidence-based scales after delivery to improve outcomes. KEY POINTS · Intake questions undermeasure partner violence and depression.. · Clinical depression emerges by 2 weeks postdelivery.. · Screening is optimal postdelivery, rather than at admission..
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
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Depression, Postpartum
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Intimate Partner Violence
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Mothers
Limits:
Adult
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Female
/
Humans
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Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Perinatol
/
Am. j. perinatol
/
American journal perinatology
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Country of publication: