Intimate Partner Violence and Postpartum Depression Among Pakistani Women: Moderating Role of Miscarriages

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health concern affecting women worldwide with detrimental effects on both mothers' well-being and infants' development. In Pakistan, new mothers are at a heightened risk of PPD due to the limited availability of psychological assistance and the tabooed status of mental health in society. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a substantial risk factor for PPD. The present study attempted to investigate the relationship between PPD and IPV among Pakistani women. In addition, the moderating role of miscarriages in the association between IPV and PPD was also examined. A cross-sectional research approach and purposive sampling technique were used to collect data from mothers (N = 300) who had delivered 6 weeks to twelve months before. Data was collected on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale. The results of the correlational analysis indicated that PPD is positively associated with IPV. Moderation analysis revealed that miscarriage moderates the association between sexual violence and PPD. Findings suggest that IPV is a primary factor contributing to miscarriages and PPD. Treatment and prevention strategies addressing PPD should exert additional efforts to educate and support women to effectively address IPV.