Trajectories of intimate partner violence, common mental disorders, and functioning among women of reproductive age in conflict-affected timor-leste

Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2026 Jul 13. doi: 10.1037/ort0000935. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive symptoms, and functional impairment among women of reproductive age are pressing public health and human rights issues in conflict-affected settings. However, to better inform policy and influence positive change, there is a need to understand the trajectories and relationships between these issues over time. We aimed to characterize the trajectories and associations between IPV, depressive symptoms, PTSD, and functional impairment over time among women of reproductive age in conflict-affected, low-resource Timor-Leste. Data are from a prospective cohort study of 854 women, conducted from 2013 to 2020 in Timor-Leste. Participants were assessed at four time points: second trimester of pregnancy (from Weeks 13 to 27) and when the child was 18 months, 36 months, and 60 months old. Latent growth curve modeling and bivariate analyses were used to explore the trajectories and associations. At each wave, PTSD and depressive symptoms were positively correlated with functional impairment and past conflict trauma. IPV was consistently associated with risk of PTSD, depressive symptoms, and impaired functioning among women over time. IPV was reported at a high rate at each time point, whereas PTSD and depressive symptoms improved over time. Findings indicate the need for IPV prevention programs and stronger legal and social sanctions to reduce men’s violence. Improvements in women’s mental health may be due to the time that has elapsed since conflict trauma or since the birth of the child. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:42441590 | DOI:10.1037/ort0000935