They separated the mothers into three groups: those who experienced no abuse, those in controlling relationships (in which fathers were extremely critical and insulting, and controlled her actions) and those in physically violent relationships.
Results showed that all women - including those in non-violent relationships who stayed with their partners throughout the study - showed higher levels of depression and anxiety by the end of the three years.
"Research shows that more than a third of women continue to experience physical abuse and 95 percent experience emotional abuse following the end of the relationship. All of this adds to the stress and anxiety they already feel," Adkins said.
However, abused women who had the support of friends and family did not show as much depression and anxiety as did women without that level of support.
"After the relationship ends, that is when these mothers really need the protection and help of their family and friends," Kamp Dush said.
The findings were published in journal Social Science Research.
Source-ANI