Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical public health concern that disproportionately affects adolescent girls in low-resource rural settings, particularly during pregnancy. This study investigates the association between IPV and suicidal ideation among pregnant adolescents and compares outcomes across different rural contexts. A comparative cross-sectional design was employed, drawing on structured survey data collected from pregnant adolescents in two low-resource rural regions. Measures included exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual violence, alongside indicators of mental health and suicidal ideation. The findings reveal a high prevalence of IPV, with emotional violence being the most frequently reported form. Adolescents exposed to IPV demonstrated significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation compared to those not exposed. Differences between regions highlight the role of socio-cultural norms, access to support services, and economic vulnerability in shaping both IPV prevalence and mental health outcomes. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated maternal health and psychosocial interventions tailored to adolescent populations in rural areas. It further advocates for community-based prevention strategies, strengthened health systems, and policy frameworks that address both violence and mental health concurrently. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking gender-based violence to adverse psychological outcomes and provide actionable insights for improving maternal and adolescent health in resource-constrained environments.

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.

Violence, depression, and suicidal ideation represent interconnected public health challenges affecting women and adolescents globally, particularly in low-resource settings. This study provides an integrated assessment of these factors across multiple populations, including adult women and adolescent girls, using a comparative cross-sectional framework. Drawing on synthesized empirical data, the study examines the prevalence and interrelationships between exposure to violence, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Findings indicate that exposure to violence significantly increases the likelihood of depression, which in turn elevates the risk of suicidal ideation. Evidence suggests that suicidal ideation among pregnant women ranges from approximately 2 percent to over 14 percent depending on context, with substantially higher rates observed among vulnerable adolescents. Adolescent populations, particularly pregnant adolescents, demonstrate markedly higher prevalence rates, with some studies reporting rates exceeding 28 percent. Depression consistently emerges as a central mediating factor linking violence to suicidal ideation. Socioeconomic disadvantage, weak social support systems, and limited access to mental health services further intensify these risks. The study proposes an integrated socio-ecological framework for understanding these relationships and emphasizes the need for multi-level interventions. The findings contribute to the development of comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing mental health disparities and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.