AI Insight
This study analyzed data from 101,145 Peruvian women aged 15-49 years across ten national surveys from 2015 to 2024, finding that 35.3% reported intimate partner violence (IPV) and 7.1% showed depressive symptoms. Women experiencing any form of IPV were 2.37 times more likely to have depressive symptoms, with emotional violence showing the strongest association. The strength of the IPV-depression relationship varied over time, being strongest in 2015-2019, weakening during 2020-2021, and partially recovering in 2022-2024.
Why it matters
These findings emphasize the need for healthcare systems to integrate confidential IPV screening with mental health services, particularly in Latin American contexts where both issues remain prevalent. The temporal variation in associations, especially the weakening during pandemic years, suggests that social and healthcare disruptions may affect how violence impacts mental health outcomes.
Understand the Science
BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern associated with adverse mental health outcomes in women. We examined trends in depressive symptoms and temporal variation in their association with IPV among ever-partnered Peruvian women from 2015 to 2024.MethodsWe conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis using data from 10 consecutive national ENDES surveys. The primary weighted analytic sample included 101,145 women aged 15–49 years. Depressive symptoms were defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥10. Survey-weighted prevalence ratios were estimated using modified Poisson regression with robust variance.ResultsOverall, 35.3% of women reported any IPV, including physical (28.0%), emotional (24.5%), and sexual IPV (6.1%). The weighted prevalence of depressive symptoms was 7.1%. The estimated annual relative change was +2.31% (95% CI: 1.03–3.61%; p < 0.001), with a non-monotonic annual pattern. Any IPV was associated with higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (aPR: 2.37; 95% CI: 2.18–2.58). Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV were also associated with depressive symptoms (aPRs: 2.32 [95% CI: 2.14–2.53], 2.21 [95% CI: 2.04–2.39], and 1.97 [95% CI: 1.80–2.17], respectively). The association varied across periods: 2015–2019, aPR 2.72; 2020–2021, 1.77; and 2022–2024, 2.29 (p for interaction <0.001).ConclusionIPV was consistently associated with depressive symptoms, although the magnitude varied over time. These findings support integrated, confidential identification of IPV alongside timely mental health assessment and referral, without establishing the effectiveness of any specific screening strategy.