Intimate Partner Violence and Depression in a Population-based Sample of Women: Can Social Support help?

Objective: Data from the Nevada 2006 BRFSS was analyzed to determine whether social support is independently associated with depression in a population based sample of women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: The 2006 Nevada BRFSS was used to collect data from 1706 women. Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and a score of 10-24 indicated current depression. Separate measures assessed lifetime sexual and physical IPV. Participant's perceived social support was also assessed. Weighted logistic regression was conducted to determine factors independently associated with depression. Results: Over a quarter (27%) of the women reported lifetime IPV (n=472). Twenty-four percent of abused women were categorized as currently depressed according to the PHQ. Abused women who reported low social support [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.33; 95% CI (1.40, 13.41)], or moderate social support [AOR = 3.15; 95% CI (1.14, 8.66)] were more likely to be depressed than women who reported high levels of social support. Other independent risk factors for depression included: low education [AOR = 9.74; 95% CI (1.82, 52.22)], fair or poor perceived health status [AOR = 4.42; 95% CI (1.68, 11.63)], and being overweight or obese [AOR = 3.61; 95% CI (1.30, 10.03)]. Recommendations: There is an urgent need for routine screening for IPV and depression in clinic and community settings. Interventions that aim to decrease depression in this vulnerable population are likely to be most effective if they promote social support, increase education opportunities, and support healthy weight loss behaviors.