Investigation of the relationship between women's perceptions of obstetric violence, birth memory, and post-traumatic stress disorder: A relational screening model

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between women's perception of obstetric violence and birth memory and post-traumatic stress disorder using a relational survey model. Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of 336 women who received care in the obstetrics ward of Elazig Firat University Hospital between October and December 2024. Data were obtained using a Personal Information Form, the Obstetric Violence Perception Scale (OVPS), the Birth Memory and Recall Scale (BMRS), and the Impact of Events Scale (IES). Results: The mean scores obtained by women from OVPS, BMRS, and IES were as follows; The values were found to be 0.43±1.01, 67.21±19.64, and 39.71±14.12. It was determined that birth memory and recall scores had a statistically significant positive effect on event impact scores and obstetric violence scores (p˂0.05). Event impact scores were found to have a statistically significant positive effect on obstetric violence scores (p˂0.05). Event impact scores had a higher effect on obstetric violence scores than birth memory scores (p˂0.05). Birth memory scores explained 41.0% of the variation in event impact scores (R2=0.410). Birth memory scores and event impact scores explained 12.5% of the variation in obstetric violence scores (R2=0.125). Conclusion: It was determined that women have low levels of perceived obstetric violence, birth memory, and possible post-traumatic stress disorder. It was determined that birth memory and recall scores had a significant effect on obstetric violence scores, mediated by event impact scores. Keywords: Midwife, Obstetric Violence, Birth Memory, Trauma, Woman.