Abstract:

Aim: To determine the effect of exposure to domestic violence during pregnancy on postpartum depression and maternal attachment. Materials and Methods: The analytically and cross-sectionally research was conducted from September 2016 to June 2017. The population of the study was consisted of mothers with 1-4 months old babies, and the sample was 223 mothers. The data were collected by data collection form, Violence Against Women Screening Form, Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS) and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Results: It was found that 14.8% of women were exposed to at least one of the types of violence during their pregnancy, 13.9% of those exposed to violence experienced verbal violence, 4% physical violence, 7.6% economic and 6.4% sexual violence. It was found that the MAS mean scores of those who experienced violence during their pregnancy were statistically lower (p<0.037) compared to those who were not exposed to violence. Women who experienced violence during their pregnancy were at risk of postpartum depression compared to those who did not experience violence (p=0.001). Conclusion: Women who experienced violence during pregnancy had low maternal attachment in the postpartum period and the risk of depression was high.

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