The Role of Hispanic Women’s Marital Status on Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion Resulting in Unintended Pregnancy

Abstract

The present study investigates the impact of Hispanic women’s marital status on the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC), resulting in unintended pregnancy (UIP). This is a significant public health concern as prior research has shown Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by UIP more than non-Hispanic White women. Data were drawn from the 2018 to 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System dataset of Hispanic women (n = 3,725) who have just given birth within the last 9 months and responded to all relevant survey items. The reporting of preconception IPV or any IPV exacerbated UIP, whereas RC reporting reduced UIP. When stratified by marital status, the association remained between IPV and UIP while it disappeared between RC and UIP. Married Hispanic participants did, however, show an association between RC and UIP. These findings have important implications for public health professionals serving marginalized populations in relationships to identify pregnancy prevention strategies such as discreet contraception use to provide IPV victims with support, resources, and care.