Trauma Exposure and PTSD Among Women Receiving Treatment for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

Abstract

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been associated with men's perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), but relatively little research has examined these associations among women who perpetrate IPV. This exploratory investigation evaluated the associations among trauma, PTSD symptoms, and IPV perpetration for women and a comparison sample of men. During intake at a community-based Abuse Intervention Program (AIP), women (n = 32) and a demographically-similar comparison sample of men (n = 64) completed measures of trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, physical aggression and emotional abuse perpetration, and use of alcohol and other drugs. The vast majority of women (93.5%) reported traumatic event exposure, and close to half (43.8%) screened positive for a probable PTSD diagnosis. Women's level of PTSD symptoms correlated positively with emotional abuse perpetration, with medium-to-large effect sizes. After controlling for substance use, women's PTSD symptoms were significantly and positively correlated with physical assault and emotional abuse perpetration. Women reported significantly higher rates of exposure to IPV victimization and had significantly higher rates of probable PTSD and PTSD symptoms than did men from the same AIP. Gender did not significantly moderate the associations between PTSD symptoms and IPV perpetration. Overall, findings indicate that trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms are important correlates of women's IPV perpetration. Women in treatment for IPV perpetration may benefit from additional assessment and treatment of trauma and trauma-related symptoms.

Sexist Discrimination and Women’s Use of Intimate Partner Aggression: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample of Women

“…This research demonstrates that sexist discrimination may be an important factor associated with women’s IPA, building on a growing body of literature indicating that experiences of discrimination, such as heterosexism and racism, are associated with the use of relationship aggression (e.g., Edwards et al, 2015; Reed et al, 2010). These results also expand on prior research documenting that women’s experiences of gender-based violence and mental health symptoms are associated with their use of IPA (Fortunata & Kohn, 2003; Miles-McLean et al, 2019; Spencer et al, 2019). The findings highlight the need for research grounded in feminist theories that explore the mechanisms contributing to women’s IPA with the goal of developing gender-responsive IPA prevention and intervention strategies.…”

“…Additionally, it will be important to explore whether the patterns among discrimination, mental health symptoms, and IPA vary for individuals exposed to more severe forms of discrimination and oppression including gender-based violence and hate crimes. It is possible that the strength of these associations may be greater, given prior research indicating that trauma exposures and PTSD symptoms are correlated with the increased use of IPA (Miles-McLean et al, 2019; Taft et al, 2011).…”

“…The term gender-based violence refers to traumatic events (e.g., sexual assault, rape, interpersonal violence) that are experienced at greater rates by individuals with oppressed gender identities and that reinforce patriarchal structures (Heise et al, 1999). Research suggests that the vast majority of women receiving treatment for using IPA have experienced interpersonal traumas, including IPA victimization, witnessing IPA as a child, sexual assault, and other violent crime victimization (Leisring, 2011; Miles-McLean et al, 2019; Swan et al, 2018). In fact, some evidence indicates that women receiving treatment for IPA report higher levels of sexual assault than women receiving treatment for IPA victimization (Abel, 2001).…”

“…Indeed, many previous studies have documented that women’s experiences of depressive symptoms are associated with the use of IPA (Capaldi et al, 2012; Spencer et al, 2016), including evidence of a longitudinal association between depression and subsequent IPA in adolescent girls (Foshee et al, 2010). Investigations with women receiving treatment for the use of IPA have found that their level of IPA is correlated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms (Miles-McLean et al, 2019; Shorey et al, 2012). These studies indicate that women’s experiences of mental health symptoms, in particular anxiety and depression, are associated with IPA and raise questions regarding whether women’s experiences of sexism may be related to IPA through mental health symptoms.…”

How do women in treatment for intimate partner violence perpetration perceive their abusive behavior?

“…For example, a review of research with men and women receiving treatment for IPV perpetration concluded that men are more likely to report using violence as a way to control their partner, whereas women are more likely to cite self-defense and revenge as reasons for using violence (Hamberger & Larsen, 2015). Additionally, in contrast to men, women receiving treatment for IPV perpetration report higher rates of posttraumatic stress and greater past exposure to gender-based violence victimization (Miles-McLean et al, 2019).…”