Women free from depression who are subjected to severe intimate partner violence are at risk of developing major depression, a longitudinal Australian study suggests.

But for men who are exposed to domestic violence, there is no significant link with major depression, although emotional abuse is associated with the onset of anxiety dis­orders, it adds.

The study examined the association between different types of intimate partner violence and subsequent depression and anxiety in 891 woman and 638 men who were the offspring of mothers enrolled in the Mater–University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy.

Intimate partner violence was measured using the Composite Abuse Scale (a self-report measure) when participants turned 21, and anxiety and depression were measured using Composite International Diagnostic Interview at ages 21 and 30.