• About Us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe Now
  • Download App
  • Benefit Hub for Subscribers Only
SWHELPER - Social Work Helper
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Buy Merch
Find/Post Jobs
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Buy Merch
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER - Social Work Helper
No Result
View All Result
Home Mental Health

Intimate Partner Violence has Bigger Implications Around Post Partum Mental Health

Peter ChoatebyPeter Choate
April 7, 2019
in Mental Health, Social Work
0
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on PinterestShare via EmailShare on Reddit

Most social workers are familiar with the concerns arising from post partum depression. It has been linked to weakened bonding and possibly disrupted attachment between mother and infant. Newly published research done in Vancouver, B.C. alerts us to the problem as much broader and having some significant links to intimate partner violence (IPV).  Much of the past research has focused on the role of physical aggression, but this research by Susan Desmarais and her colleagues reminds us that the nature of IPV is much broader and each form has impacts upon women and their post partum mental health.

(Photo credit: Kit4na)
(Photo credit: Kit4na)

In their paper, published in the journal Pregnancy and Childbirth emphasizes that IPV incudes actual, attempted or threatened harm that can have an impact or detract from the victims well being across several domains – physical, psychological, sexual, economic and spiritual.

The authors also note that dear of abuse has both physical and psychological consequences on the pregnant mother.  Abuse, whether it occurs or is feared, raises cortical steroid levels in mothers which can have negative outcomes for mother and child.

Post partum mental  health concerns are more than just depression. Social workers must broaden their view to understand that the risks also include anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder along with psychosis.

These researchers studied 100 women to conclude that women who experienced IPV (both during and before pregnancy) reported a statistically significant higher rate of post partum mental health problems.  Physical assault during pregnancy appeared to have the greatest impact on post partum mental health and was associated with depression, OCD and PTSD. Psychological aggression during pregnancy was associated with symptoms of stress and PTSD. Sexual coercion both before and during pregnancy was associated with symptoms of OCD.

These findings have significant concern for child protection workers. It is vital that women be given an opportunity to talk about all forms of abuse that occurred both during the pregnancy as well as the periods leading up to it. In addition, workers must be careful to look for problems beyond depression.

Other research has shown, as acute mental health concerns grow in significance, it impacts the ability of the mother to care for the emotional and physical needs of the child. When we look beyond just the care of the child to understand why the mother is neglecting her child, we may often find various forms of IPV at the root of the behavior. If we do not properly investigate and intervene, then the mother is at increased risk of more intensive mental health concerns which may also lead to substance abuse as a means of managing the mental health concerns.

The good news is that mental health problems are treatable and the need to remove the child from the care of the mother is low. However, safety has to be created for both mother and child which means that the IPV needs to be uncovered. This is tricky, but it is our challenge.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

A Call for Radical Aging

Next Post

Hiring and Potentially Unlawful Employment Practices

Peter Choate

Peter Choate

Dr. Peter Choate is a Registered Social Worker and Member of the Clinical Registry and Approved Clinical Supervisor for the Alberta College of Registered Social Workers. He is an Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University in the Faculty of Social Work and Disability Studies and a Professional Development Instructor at the University of Calgary. His particular emphasis is on parenting capacity as well child and adolescent mental health including maltreatment, neglect and abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) and these issues within family systems.

Related Posts

Treating Teen Addiction With Compassion and Empathy
Mental Health

UB Social Work Researcher Introduces a New Tool for Treating Alcohol and Drug Addiction

June 6, 2023
Do District-Based Elections For School Board Help Minority Candidates Get Elected?
News

NASW Opposes Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Exams

May 22, 2023
Journalist Turned Social Worker?
Opinion

Journalist Turned Social Worker?

May 23, 2023
Business

Technology and Entrepreneurship in Social Work

May 21, 2023
5 Ways To Boost Employee Wellbeing
Health

5 Ways To Boost Employee Wellbeing

May 21, 2023
Self Care is a Requirement
Mental Health

From Burnout to Firestarter

January 7, 2023
Next Post
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):  23 Years Later

Hiring and Potentially Unlawful Employment Practices

The Crisis of Identity: the First Year Out as a Social Worker

The Crisis of Identity: the First Year Out as a Social Worker

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
GET THE LATEST NEWS!
Subscribe
We hate spam and never share your details.
×

Thank you!

Exploring Emotions: The Power of the Feelings Heart Exercise in Therapy

Exploring Emotions: The Power of the Feelings Heart Exercise in Therapy

May 19, 2023
What Can Be Done To Solve The Foster Care Crisis?

Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

May 19, 2023
The Biopsychosocial Perspective to Mental Health and Illness

The Biopsychosocial Perspective to Mental Health and Illness

May 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Connect With Us

Twitter
FlipboardInstagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram TikTok
SWHELPER – Social Work Helper

  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Buy Merch
  • Terms of Service

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Politics
    • Criminal Justice
    • Social Work
    • Education
    • LGBTQ
    • Technology
    • Disability
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Webinars
  • Career Center
  • Subscriber Benefit Hub
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.