Stability and Change in Types of Intimate Partner Violence Across Pre-pregnancy, Pregnancy, and the Postpartum Period.

Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted after childbirth with 2,709 female residents of Iowa to examine experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) across pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum. IPV was most prevalent during the postpartum period, followed by pre-pregnancy, and pregnancy. Violence in one period increased the likelihood of violence in subsequent periods. Latent Transition Analysis revealed three classes of women: those who experienced No IPV, Predominantly Sexual IPV, or Physical IPV Only. Change in IPV type across time was associated with whether women had intended, and whether their partners wanted, the pregnancy and with marital status. Findings suggest a continuity of violence for childbearing women who experience IPV prior to conception and have numerous implications for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.