Psychotropic medication use and intimate partner violence at 4 years postpartum: Results from an Australian pregnancy...

In the perinatal period, maternal mental health problems and intimate partner violence often co-occur. We aimed to examine associations between psychotropic medication use and intimate partner violence (IPV) in an Australian population-based sample.

Prospective cohort study of 1507 first-time mothers recruited in early pregnancy (mean gestation 15 weeks) from public maternity hospitals in Melbourne Australia. Follow-up questionnaires at 12 months and four years included validated measures of intimate partner violence (Composite Abuse Scale), and maternal mental health (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, SF-36). Data on use of psychotropic medications was collected using a self-report measure at four years postpartum.

At four years postpartum, almost one in eight mothers (13.9%) were taking psychotropic medication. The prevalence of psychotropic medication use in women experiencing concurrent IPV was considerably higher compared to women not experiencing IPV (25% vs 11%, Odds Ratio = 2.68, 95% CI 1.73-4.15). Women experiencing IPV were significantly more likely to be taking psychotropic medication, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and depressive symptoms (Adj OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.96). Only 5% of women reporting IPV at four years postpartum had discussed this with a general practitioner.

Limitations include use of a self-report measure to assess psychotropic medication use, lack of data on the use of psychological counselling and/or other specialist mental health services and potential for attrition to bias results (addressed using multiple imputation).

Our findings reinforce the need for health professionals treating women for depressive symptoms to inquire about IPV and tailor responses accordingly.