Learning Objective #1: identify the prevalence and type of intimate partner violence in a cohort of Chinese pregnant women

Learning Objective #2: recognize the adverse impact of psychological intimate partner abuse on the mental health of Chinese pregnant women

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Intimate partner violence during pregnancy has been well researched but the focus is mainly on physical abuse. Relatively little attention has been given to psychological abuse even though it has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of psychological intimate partner abuse on the mental health of Chinese pregnant women in Hong Kong. A population-based survey was conducted in seven public hospitals between 1 July 2005 and 30 April 2006. A total of 3245 Chinese pregnant women were recruited. The Abuse Assessment Screen and demographic questionnaires were administered face-to-face at 32-36 weeks of gestation. At one week postpartum, the Abuse Assessment Screen, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and SF-12 Health Survey were administered by telephone.

Among the respondents, 296 (9.1%) reported abuse by an intimate partner in the past year. Of those abused, 216 (73%) reported psychological abuse only and 80 (27%) reported physical and/or sexual abuse. Forty-six (57.5%) in the physical and/or sexual abuse group also reported psychological abuse.

Women who reported only psychological abuse were found to have a higher risk of postnatal depression compared with non-abused women (adjusted OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.12 - 3.02). They were also at a higher risk of thinking about harming themselves (adjusted OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.49 - 8.20) and had significantly poorer mental health-related quality of life (P <.001). On the contrary, the higher risks of postnatal depression and thinking of harming themselves were not observed in the physical and/or sexual abuse group although significantly poorer mental health-related quality of life (P <.001) was observed.

In a shame-oriented Chinese society, it is possible that women may be more vulnerable to the effect of psychological abuse. This underscores the importance of identifying psychological abuse among Chinese women and providing timely interventions.