Web resource:	https://www.sciencedirect.com/
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Violence against pregnant women: prevalence, patterns, risk factors, theories, and directions for future research
Other Titles:	Aggression and violent behavior
Authors:	Taillieu, Tamara L Brownridge, Douglas A
Keywords:	Pregnancy;Impact on children and young people
Year:	2010
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Citation:	15 (1), January-February 2010
Notes:	Overview: In this paper, the Canadian authors review the extensive literature on violence against pregnant women. The paper identifies gaps in the literature that need to be filled in order for a deeper understanding of violence experienced during pregnancy to be gained, particularly by health workers. The paper reviews research on the prevalence of violence perpetrated against pregnant women in both developed and developing nations. The authors find that prevalence rates vary widely and suggest this is due to the groups of women participating in research being highly concentrated within a particular section of the population. For example, the review finds that higher prevalence rates tend to be reported in low age, low income sample groups. The report finds that the prevalence of violence during pregnancy is consistently lower than that occurring before pregnancy in both the developed and developing world. The paper draws together literature discussing the nature of violence against pregnant women. It finds that the initiation of violence during pregnancy is rare. However, the authors suggest for those who have experienced violence prior to pregnancy, the perpetrator may take advantage of their partner's vulnerability during pregnancy. The paper further examines risk factors for violence during pregnancy in terms of victim-related characteristics, including: being of young age; of single status; of minority status; and being unemployed. The paper also examines perpetrator-related characteristics, including: exhibiting controlling behaviour; and pregnancy-related factors, including social isolation. Finally, the paper draws together and considers various theories of violence that offer explanations for violence against pregnant women. The authors discuss directions for future research. These include more research into the prevalence and the patterns of violence against pregnant women.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12726
ISSN:	1359-1789
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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