Buy Article Permissions and Reprints Abstract

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of partner violence and depression in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) mothers.

Study Design This was a descriptive study. Mothers were screened in a safe room away from their partner with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Abuse Assessment Screen Tool (AAS) within 2 days of the newborn's admission. The EPDS was administered again 2 weeks later and then at discharge.

Results Nearly 20% of mothers reported on the AAS that they had experienced physical abuse since pregnancy. Abuse significantly predicted baseline depression 48 hours after delivery. A significant relationship emerged between depression and past year partner violence, with 100% experiencing abuse in the past year after pregnancy. Regular hospital intake questions underreported NICU mothers' partner violence experience and feelings of depression.

Conclusion There was a marked difference between what mothers reported in their health history at admission versus evidence-based surveys in a private setting. These results challenge assumptions that accurate screening happens at hospital admission. It is imperative to use evidence-based scales after delivery to improve outcomes.

Key Points

Intake questions undermeasure partner violence and depression.

Clinical depression emerges by 2 weeks postdelivery.

Screening is optimal postdelivery, rather than at admission.

Keywords partner violence - postpartum depression - NICU mothers - abuse and depression screening Authors' Contribution

S.D. served as principal investigator and was responsible for study design, instrument selection, data analyses, and manuscript preparation and review. K.S. served as coinvestigator and was responsible for clinical methodology, data collection and management, participant records, and manuscript preparation and review. B.B. and K.C. assisted with data collection and manuscript review. T.W.G. assisted with data collection. A.C. served as coinvestigator and was responsible for study design, clinical methodology, and manuscript preparation and review.

Publication History

Received: 01 December 2023

Accepted: 30 January 2024

Article published online:
29 February 2024

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