Cannabis Use and Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy Are Associated with Poorer Postpartum Mental Health

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization during pregnancy is a pervasive public health problem that is associated with mental health difficulties and increased rates of substance use, including cannabis. Despite being contraindicated by medical professionals, cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise. Preliminary research among the general population suggests that cannabis use is associated with later mental health difficulties. While pregnancy IPV is associated with poorer postpartum mental health, less is known about the effects of pregnancy cannabis use on postpartum mental health. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of IPV victimization and cannabis use during pregnancy on postpartum mental health.

In this study, 257 women were assessed at three points during pregnancy to measure IPV victimization and cannabis use. Then, at 6 months postpartum, women's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms were assessed.

Linear regression analyses revealed that pregnancy IPV victimization was significantly associated with elevated postpartum PTSD (β = 0.21, p = 0.005), depression (β = 0.17, p = 0.022), and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.21, p = 0.008). Pregnancy cannabis use was associated with elevated postpartum PTSD (β = 0.25, p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.25, p < 0.001) symptoms. The interaction between pregnancy IPV and cannabis use was not significantly associated with postpartum mental health symptoms.

Results suggest that cannabis use during pregnancy, as well as IPV victimization, are independent risk factors for specific postpartum mental health problems. Suggestions for nurses and other medical providers on how to best screen for and counsel pregnant women on cannabis use are discussed.

· IPV during pregnancy is associated with elevated postpartum PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms.. · Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with elevated postpartum PTSD and depression symptoms.. · IPV and cannabis use during pregnancy are independent risk factors for postpartum mental health difficulties.. · Medical professionals should screen for and discuss IPV and cannabis use with pregnant women..