Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Previous research has found a relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; e.g. Basile, Arias, Desai, & Thompson, 2004). The purpose of the current study was to investigate PTSD in a diverse sample of Saskatchewan women who have experienced IPV. This study utilized the Composite Abuse Scale in order to examine whether or not severe combined, emotional, physical, or harassment abuse predict the development of PTSD. The Composite Abuse Scale allowed us to investigate combined forms of abuse, which included sexual violence as well as severe physical violence by an intimate partner. This study added to previous findings by accounting for experiences of abuse in childhood as well as potential moderating variables as measured by demographic characteristics. The current study was a sub-study of a larger research project called “The Healing Journey: A Longitudinal Study of Women Affected by Intimate Partner Violence”. The results suggest that all forms of IPV were significantly correlated with PTSD; however, once entered into the multiple regression only severe combined forms of abuse proved to be a significant predictor for PTSD. Further, emotional abuse in childhood and level of education were found to be significant predictors of PTSD alongside severe combined forms of abuse. Scientific and clinical implications are presented as well as directions for future research.