Bridging IPV and SUD for Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Case Report of Interdisciplinary Programming in Mississippi

Authors

Catherine Poehling, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Masoumeh Karimi, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Chinedu ChukwuFollow
Jerome R. KolboFollow
Xiaoshan Gordy, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Saijun Zhang, University of MississippiFollow
Matthew MorrisFollow
Andrew Voluse, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Erin DehonFollow
Michelle BrassfieldFollow
Danielle LahnFollow
Lisa SladeFollow
Deanna HowingtonFollow
Kathleen RhodesFollow
Tearsanee Davis, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Sonja FuquaFollow
Mary M. Wesley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityFollow
Lei Zhang, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow

Keywords

domestic violence, intimate partner violence, pregnancy, postpartum, substance use

Word Count

3820

Document Type

Case Reports

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents in the U.S. South experience disproportionately high rates of bullying, discrimination, depression, and suicidality. Supportive and inclusive school climates are identified as key protective factors that can mitigate these risks and function as primary prevention against violence. This systematic narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed research and high-quality survey reports published between 2015 and 2024 that assess school climate, mental health, and violence-related outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth with representation from Southern states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 1,167 records were identified; 27 sources met inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that supportive school climates—characterized by inclusive policies, gay–straight alliances, teacher and peer support, and trauma-informed practices—are consistently associated with lower victimization and improved mental health. However, the evidence base specific to the Deep South remains limited. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Poehling, C., Karimi, M., Chukwu, C., Kolbo, J. R., Gordy, X., Zhang, S., Morris, M., Voluse, A., Dehon, E., Brassfield, M., Lahn, D., Slade, L., Howington, D., Rhodes, K., Davis, T., Fuqua, S., Wesley, M. M., & Zhang, L. (2026). Bridging IPV and SUD for Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Case Report of Interdisciplinary Programming in Mississippi. Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 6(1), 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1132