Association Between Painful Symptomatology and Domestic Violence During the Pregnancy of Adolescents and Young Adults: Results From the AMOR Project

Domestic violence (DV) is a public health issue with serious consequences for women’s physical and mental health. During pregnancy, it increases the risk of anxiety and depression and worsens quality of life. Additionally, the physiological changes during this period lead to postural adaptations that contribute to lower back and pelvic pain. These impacts can be even more intense in pregnant adolescents, who are more vulnerable to pre- and postnatal complications, including premature births. The aim of this study was to assess the association between painful symptomatology and DV in pregnant adolescents and adults. This is a cross-sectional observational study resulting from the AMOR project (Adolescence and Motherhood Research), with 41 adolescents and 45 adults during the third trimester of pregnancy. DV (Hurt Insult Threatened Scream scale) and painful symptomatology (the Pelvic Pain Assessment Questionnaire of the International Society of Pelvic Pain) were assessed through self-report. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed the associations, considering p < .05. Violence perpetrated by a family member was reported by 33.7% of all the participants and was associated with pain when urinating ( p = .035) and pain when sitting ( p = .047). Intimate partner violence was reported by 23.3% of the sample and associated with pain during sexual intercourse ( p = .041). Reporting violence from any source was associated with pain during sexual intercourse ( p = .026) and pain when sitting ( p = .047). When considering the sample stratified by age, violence perpetrated by family members was higher among adolescents (46.3%) than adults (22.2%; p = .018), and the associations between the different types of DV and painful symptomatology remained significant only among adolescents. Pregnant adolescents are more likely to experience DV and should be identified and evaluated for pelvic pain. Targeted interventions and specialized care are essential to mitigate health risks and improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.