Depressive and Posttraumatic Symptoms Among Women Seeking Protection Orders Against Intimate Partners: Relations to Coping Strategies and Perceived Responses to Abuse Disclosure

• NCJ Number: 240006
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2012 Pages: 420-436
• Author(s): Sharon M. Flicker; Catherine Cerulli; Marc T. Swogger; Nancyy L. Talbot
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): K01MH075965-01; T32 MH018911
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship of abuse-specific coping strategies and perceived responses to abuse disclosure to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among women seeking a protection order against an intimate partner.

Abstract

This investigation examined the relationship of abuse-specific coping strategies and perceived responses to abuse disclosure to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among 131 women seeking a protection order against an intimate partner. Disengagement, denial, and self-blame coping strategies, as well as blaming of the participant by others, were associated with greater depressive and posttraumatic symptoms. None of the strategies of coping or responses to abuse disclosure were negatively related to depressive or posttraumatic stress symptoms. Findings suggest that mental health providers may find it useful to address these negative styles of coping while public education campaigns should target victim blaming. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.