NCJ Number
145796
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1993) Pages: 17-28
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examines the factors that influence the symptom levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among battered women.
Abstract
Fifty-three battered women were administered standardized self-report instruments that measured various variables hypothesized as related to PTSD. PTSD symptomatology was measured with the Impact of Event Scale, which focuses on intrusion and avoidance criteria for PTSD, and the PTSD Symptom Checklist, which address various symptoms of psychological and physiological distress. Participants completed Form N of the Conflict Tactics Scale, which assesses violence exposure experienced by couples. Other standardized instruments measured available social support, positive and negative intercurrent life events, and religiosity. Consistent with earlier research, this study found that battered women are significantly at risk for developing PTSD, although a lower PTSD rate (33 percent) was found in this study than in previous research. Multiple regression analyses revealed that violence-exposure severity, recency of the last abusive episode, social support intercurrent life events, intrinsic religiosity, and developmental family stressors predicted 43 percent of the variance in PTSD symptomatology. 2 tables and 36 references