The relationship between intimate partner violence and probable depression among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi

TY - JOUR

T1 - The relationship between intimate partner violence and probable depression among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi

AU - Brar, Savvy K.

AU - Beattie, Tara S.H.

AU - Abas, Melanie

AU - Vansia, Dhrutika

AU - Phanga, Twambilile

AU - Maseko, Bertha

AU - Bekker, Linda Gail

AU - Pettifor, Audrey E.

AU - Rosenberg, Nora E.

PY - 2020/6/2

Y1 - 2020/6/2

N2 - This analysis estimates prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with probable depression among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Malawi, and whether partner’s controlling behaviour modifies this relationship. Baseline data was utilised from the Girl Power-Malawi study of 1000 15–24-year-old AGYW in Lilongwe. Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV experiences with a current or recent partner were measured using the modified Conflict Tactics Scale. Probable depression was measured by scoring ≥10 on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Short Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Generalised linear models with log-link and binomial distribution estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between IPV types and probable depression. Partner’s controlling behaviour was examined as an effect modifier. Participants’ mean age was 19.2 years, with 70% never-married. IPV prevalence varied for emotional (59%), physical (36%), sexual (46%), and all forms (20%). Prevalence of probable depression was 47%. AGYW who experienced each IPV type had a higher prevalence of probable depression: physical (PR:1.54, CI:1.28–1.86), sexual (1.46, CI:1.21–1.75), emotional (1.37, CI:1.14–1.64), all forms (1.72, CI:1.41–2.09). IPV and probable depression were prevalent and strongly associated, especially among AGYW reporting controlling behaviour. Interventions addressing IPV and controlling behaviour may positively impact depression among AGYW.

AB - This analysis estimates prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with probable depression among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Malawi, and whether partner’s controlling behaviour modifies this relationship. Baseline data was utilised from the Girl Power-Malawi study of 1000 15–24-year-old AGYW in Lilongwe. Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV experiences with a current or recent partner were measured using the modified Conflict Tactics Scale. Probable depression was measured by scoring ≥10 on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Short Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Generalised linear models with log-link and binomial distribution estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between IPV types and probable depression. Partner’s controlling behaviour was examined as an effect modifier. Participants’ mean age was 19.2 years, with 70% never-married. IPV prevalence varied for emotional (59%), physical (36%), sexual (46%), and all forms (20%). Prevalence of probable depression was 47%. AGYW who experienced each IPV type had a higher prevalence of probable depression: physical (PR:1.54, CI:1.28–1.86), sexual (1.46, CI:1.21–1.75), emotional (1.37, CI:1.14–1.64), all forms (1.72, CI:1.41–2.09). IPV and probable depression were prevalent and strongly associated, especially among AGYW reporting controlling behaviour. Interventions addressing IPV and controlling behaviour may positively impact depression among AGYW.

KW - adolescent girls

KW - depression

KW - Intimate partner violence

KW - Malawi

KW - young women

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85078419131&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/17441692.2020.1718732

DO - 10.1080/17441692.2020.1718732

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85078419131

SN - 1744-1692

VL - 15

SP - 865

EP - 876

JO - Global Public Health

JF - Global Public Health

IS - 6

ER -