Incidence and Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Battered Women

Abstract

Battered women have been identified as being at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study further articulated the nature of the relationship between the trauma of battery and PTSD. One hundred seventy-nine battered women and 48 nonbattered but verbally abused women were recruited from several sources (shelters, support groups, therapist referrals, community). Battered women with and without PTSD were compared with the finding that battered women with PTSD had experienced more physical abuse, more verbal abuse, more injuries, a greater sense of threat, and more forced sex than battered women without PTSD. Eighty-one percent of the physically abused group met the criteria for the PTSD diagnosis, although 63% of the verbally abused group met the criteria. In multiple regression analyses in the battered sample, the strongest predictors of extent of PTSD were (in order of variance explained) the use of disengagement coping strategies to handle the battery, experiencing of negative life events, the battery experience, and lack of perceived social support. The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder is important to consider when a woman has experienced a physically abusive relationship, but also when the experience has been of a verbally abusive relationship. It also is important to assess coping strategies, social support, and stressors to evaluate the potential psychological impact of the abuse.

Gender, victimization, and outcomes: Reconceptualizing risk.

“…Thus, isolating emotional abuse would fail to capture the reality that this form of psychological aggression tends to co-occur with physical aggression. In many cases, this psychological and physical victimization may have occurred within the same intimate partnership, because past domestic violence studies have documented emotional abuse to be quite common (if not standard) in physically violent relationships (e.g., Kemp, Green, Howanitz, & Rawlings, 1995;Murphy & O'Leary, 1989;Straus, 1979;Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996).…”

Coping Among Victims of Relationship Abuse: A Longitudinal Examination

“…Disengagement coping refers to attempts at problem avoidance or tension reduction through escapist thoughts and behavior. Disengagement coping strategies have been shown to be associated with higher levels of hopelessness, depression, and PTSD symptoms among battered women (Clements, Sabourin, & Spiby, 2004;Kemp, Green, Hovanitz, & Rawlings, 1995). Although much less attention has focused on engagement coping among battered women and one study did not find an association between this form of coping and PTSD symptoms (Kemp et al, 1995), it is plausible that engagement forms of emotionfocused coping (e.g., expressing emotions, marshalling social support) and problem-focused coping (e.g., problem solving, cognitive restructuring) would be associated with better mental health functioning.…”

“…Disengagement coping strategies have been shown to be associated with higher levels of hopelessness, depression, and PTSD symptoms among battered women (Clements, Sabourin, & Spiby, 2004;Kemp, Green, Hovanitz, & Rawlings, 1995). Although much less attention has focused on engagement coping among battered women and one study did not find an association between this form of coping and PTSD symptoms (Kemp et al, 1995), it is plausible that engagement forms of emotionfocused coping (e.g., expressing emotions, marshalling social support) and problem-focused coping (e.g., problem solving, cognitive restructuring) would be associated with better mental health functioning.Previous studies of coping among battered women have relied on cross-sectional designs. This is problematic given possible reciprocal relationships between mental health difficulties and specific coping strategies and the effects of response biases (Clements et al, 2004).…”

The Relationship among the Coping Style, Social Support, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

“…적극적 대처에는 문제중심 대처외 사회적 지지추구 대처가 포 함되며, 소극적 대처는 정서중심 대처와 소망적 사고가 포함된다 (13). 연구에 따르면 이러한 대처방식 중 소극 적 대처를 많이 사용할수록 외상 후 스트레스 증상과 우울감이 더 심한 것으로 나타났으며 (14), 적극적인 대 처의 사용은 스트레스원이 심리적 기능에 미치는 부정 적 영향을 조절하는 것으로 나타났다 (15).…”