Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Infertile Women - A Cross-Sectional Hospital Based Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: In Asian countries, child bearing is a social obligation. Experience of infertility profoundly affects the personal well-being of women. Women with infertility are at a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and Intimate partner violence (IPV). In this background the present study was carried out to determine IPV and psychiatric comorbidity in women with infertility. Methods: Hundred consecutive women with primary infertility in the age group of 18 years to 45 years were included in the study. Psychiatric diagnosis was made according to DSM-5. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were used to assess the severity of the anxiety and depressive symptoms. IPV was assessed using WHO violence against women instrument. Results: The mean age of the 100 women was 26.73 ± 4.23 years, duration of marriage was 7.11 ± 4.177 years and duration of infertility treatment in years was 5.56 ± 3.89. The prevalence of IPV among patients was 50% and psychiatric comorbidity was 46%. When we compared the women who experienced IPV and who did not, the prevalence of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder was high among IPV group. Anxiety, depressive scores in HAM A, HAM D were higher in IPV group compared to the other group and was statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant number of women who had infertility reported IPV. This emphasizes the importance of screening for IPV in these women. It is observed that women with IPV had higher psychiatric comorbidity and may require psychotherapeutic intervention.

Domestic Violence against Infertile Women

“… 16 The overall prevalence of violence against infertile women was obtained from 15 studies considered for the current evaluation with a sum total of 4,394 participants. 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 32 – 35 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 46 A sub-total of 12 studies with 3,872 participants reported psychological and emotional violence and this type of violence was the most common compared to the rest. 15 , 16 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 , 45 A total of 14 studies with 4,394 participants reported the presence of or increase in physical violence.…”

“… 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 32 – 35 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 46 A sub-total of 12 studies with 3,872 participants reported psychological and emotional violence and this type of violence was the most common compared to the rest. 15 , 16 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 , 45 A total of 14 studies with 4,394 participants reported the presence of or increase in physical violence. 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 , 45 , 46 Also, 11 studies with 3,460 participants reported sexual violence.…”

“… 15 , 16 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 , 45 A total of 14 studies with 4,394 participants reported the presence of or increase in physical violence. 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 , 45 , 46 Also, 11 studies with 3,460 participants reported sexual violence. 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 32 – 35 , 39 It should be noted that just in one article, only the frequency of different types of violence was separately reported, whereas the total score of violence was not reported.…”

Mental Health Implications of Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence

“…IPV was found to be significantly higher in those with psychiatric comorbidity. [8] The relationship between IPV and depression is more likely to be bidirectional, whereas that between IPV, infertility, and psychiatric comorbidity is more complex and confounded by various sociodemographic and clinical variables. The role of stress-because of stressors such as IPV-in inducing neuroendocrine changes, which could, in turn, lead to infertility and psychiatric morbidity, needs further exploration.…”

Does the Mode of Conception Influence Early Postpartum Depression? A Prospective Comparative Study from South India

“… 2 Many studies have investigated the emotional stress related to infertility. 3 , 4 There have been reports of adverse effects on the psychological health of women who receive infertility treatment, including a high state of anxiety and a tendency to develop depression. 5 Pregnancy after infertility treatment brings increased anxiety and psychological stress to the mother about the outcome of the pregnancy and the care of the precious newborn.…”