Antenatal Depression as a Mediator Between Gender-Based Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women in South Asia

Antenatal Depression as a Mediator Between Gender-Based Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women in South Asia | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 10 April 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Antenatal Depression as a Mediator Between Gender-Based Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women in South Asia Authors : Isaac Ademola Adedotun 0009-0004-3414-9695 [email protected] and Isaac Ademola Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177585041.18153815/v1 107 views 62 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Gender-based violence (GBV) during pregnancy is a pervasive public health issue in South Asia, with profound implications for maternal mental health. This study examines antenatal depression as a mediating factor in the relationship between GBV and suicidal ideation among pregnant women in the region. Drawing on a cross-sectional analytical framework and synthesis of empirical evidence, the study explores how exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual violence contributes to psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. Findings indicate that GBV significantly increases the risk of antenatal depression, which in turn elevates the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Evidence suggests that approximately one in four pregnant women in South Asia experiences antenatal depression, highlighting the scale of the problem. The study further demonstrates that depression serves as a critical pathway linking violence to suicidal outcomes, rather than acting as an independent condition. Socioeconomic disadvantage, limited access to mental health services, and cultural stigma further intensify these risks. The study proposes an integrated conceptual framework emphasizing early screening, psychosocial support, and gender-sensitive healthcare interventions. It concludes that addressing antenatal depression within the context of GBV is essential for reducing maternal morbidity and improving mental health outcomes. The research contributes to the understanding of complex psychosocial mechanisms underlying maternal mental health in low-and middle-income settings and provides actionable insights for policy and clinical practice. Supplementary Material File (antenatal depression as a mediator between gender-based violence and suicidal ideation among pregnant women in south asia.pdf) Download 186.69 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 10 April 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords antenatal depression gender-based violence maternal mental health mediation perinatal health south asia suicidal ideation Authors Affiliations Isaac Ademola Adedotun 0009-0004-3414-9695 [email protected] View all articles by this author Isaac Ademola View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 107 views 62 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Isaac Ademola Adedotun, Isaac Ademola. Antenatal Depression as a Mediator Between Gender-Based Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women in South Asia. Authorea . 10 April 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177585041.18153815/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.177585041.18153815/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9fe3dbe9993458d3',t:'MTc3OTIwMTY1MA=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();