Longitudinal Exploration of Prenatal and Postnatal Intimate Partner Violence, Postpartum Depression, and Child–Mother Attachment: A Mediation Model

This longitudinal study examines the timelines of occurrences of intimate partner violence (IPV) on child–mother attachment, as well as the mediating role of maternal postpartum depression (PPD). Using a sample in the United States (N = 2,268), findings suggest that, compared to mothers’ prenatal IP...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Zhang, Ying (Author) ; Shen, Fei (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Violence against women
Year: 2025, Volume: 31, Issue: 9, Pages: 2146-2167
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Longitudinal
Attachment
postnatal intimate partner violence
prenatal intimate partner violence
Postpartum Depression
Description
Summary:This longitudinal study examines the timelines of occurrences of intimate partner violence (IPV) on child–mother attachment, as well as the mediating role of maternal postpartum depression (PPD). Using a sample in the United States (N = 2,268), findings suggest that, compared to mothers’ prenatal IPV victimization, postnatal IPV more negatively influences child–mother attachment when the children were at 3 years old, and this negative impact on attachment was partially mediated through maternal PPD. As IPV screening for pregnant women in healthcare settings becomes a common practice, effective IPV and PPD screening postnatally should be broadly implemented to promote maternal mental health and child–mother attachment.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012241251972