Objective

To assess the effect of intimate partner violence on the risk of depression and depressive symptoms among adult women.

Method

We analyzed data from the Mexican Health Workers' Cohort study (n=470). Type and severity of intimate partner violence was ascertained between 2004 and 2011. Self-reported medical diagnosis of depression (2011) was the main outcome; depressive symptoms ascertained with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale was the secondary outcome. Random-effects regressions were run to model the risk of depression (logistic) and depressive symptoms (linear) in relation to intimate partner violence.

Results

41.9% women experienced intimate partner violence at baseline. The incidence of depression was 7.2%. The risk of depression increased with any type of IPV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.9; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.4-6.2) and with physical (aOR=4.3; 95%CI: 1.8-10.1), psychological (aOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.4-6.6) and sexual (aOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.2-8.2) violence. Depressive symptoms (CES-D) increased slightly with physical and sexual intimate partner violence.

Conclusions

Intimate partner violence was associated with a higher risk of depression in this sample of women working in a Mexican health facility. Our results indicate the need to develop infrastructure, to implement strategies of attention and counselling, and to provide a safe environment in the workplace for women who experience intimate partner violence.

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