The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68386

Karen A. McDonnell, PhD¹, Patricia O'Campo, PhD², Jessica Griffin Burke, PhD³, Andrea C. Gielen, ScD, ScM, CHES⁴, and Michael Yonas, MPH². (1) Maternal and Child Health, George Washington University School of Public Health, 2175 K Street Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, 202.467.2282, sphkxm@gwumc.edu, (2) Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltmore, MD 21205, (3) Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomerg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, E4010, Baltimore, MD 21205, (4) Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, HH-750, Baltimore, MD 21205

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a women’s public health issue that has consistently been found to adversely affect women’s mental health and well-being. Studies have indicated that the reported rates of depression and IPV to be much higher among low income women and women living with HIV. The information that we have regarding the relationship between mental health and IPV has been to this point mainly cross sectional in design. Our study on a cohort of 183 low-income, predominately African-American women contributes to this gap by examining patterns and mental health outcomes of IPV over a four year period. Baseline and follow up data were collected using quantitative surveys conducted with women originally recruited from six clinic and community service sites. Using the Conflict Tactics Scale-Revised, we found that 44% of the women had experienced IPV at baseline and 16% had experienced IPV at baseline and at follow up. Using the CES-D community based cut-off score of 16, 55% of the sample scored above this level at the follow up interview. Regression analyses demonstrate that women who have been abused at both follow up and baseline (OR=3.02), and those who were HIV positive (OR=2.76) were significantly more likely to report a depression score over 16 than women who had not been abused or were HIV negative. An understanding of the short and long term mental health effects of IPV can yield important information for programs designed to help women experiencing depression especially among those women who are also living with a chronic stressor such as HIV.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation one should be 1)aware of the issues surrounding depression among women; 2)understand the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression and
• begin to understand the need for effective mental health initiatives for women living with chronic stressors such as IPV and HIV

Keywords: Depression, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.