Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Intimate Partner Violence With Postpartum Depression Among Women In Central Region Of Vietnam: A Prospective Cohort Study

PurposeThis study used longitudinal data to explore the pathways linking ACEs, IPV during pregnancy (p-IPV), and postpartum IPV (IPV-12) with PPD at 6 and 12 months postpartum in central Vietnam. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted, recruiting 942 women in their last trimester of pregnancy in Da Nang, Vietnam, and following them up to 12 months postpartum. ACEs were assessed using the 10-item Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) at baseline. IPV (psychological, physical, sexual) was measured using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) during pregnancy (p-IPV) and at 12 months postpartum (IPV-12). PPD was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at 6 months (PPD-6) and 12 months (PPD-12) postpartum. Mediation analysis using the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method was performed to examine direct and indirect effects. ResultsLoss to follow-up was 20.0% at 6 months (n=753) and 15.3% at 12 months (n=638). Mediation analysis indicated that ACEs influenced PPD-12 (Total Effect = 0.536) and that p-IPV, PPD-6, and IPV-12 fully mediated this relationship, accounting for 85.44% of the total effect. IPV-12 emerged as the strongest mediator (71.74%), followed by PPD-6 (7.77%) and p-IPV (5.93%). Specific forms of IPV (psychological, physical, sexual) also demonstrated significant mediating roles in various pathways. ConclusionThis study highlights the critical role of exposure to IPV in the relationship between ACEs and PPD. Recent exposure to IPV (at 12 months postpartum) may act as a particularly potent mediator in this relationship. Community-based screening for ACEs and IPV is recommended as an integral component of PPD prevention strategies.