PTSD symptoms and partner abuse: Low income women at risk (original) (raw)
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Ethnicity and Risk for Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Following Intimate Partner Violence
Journal of interpersonal violence, 2009
The present study uses a feminist theoretical framework to explore risk factors for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms following intimate partner violence, with a community sample of 120 low-income European American and African American women. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine demographic, violence, and mental health variables that predict posttraumatic stress symptoms. The data reveal that African American women report lower levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms than do their European American peers. This difference was observed despite the presence of more empirically identified risk factors for African American women. Regression analyses show that symptoms of depression increase risk for posttraumatic stress for both groups. However, a difference was observed such that past victimization increase risk for only European American women, whereas amount of psychological violence in the previous year increases risk for only African American women. Potential explanations for observed ethnic differences are offered.
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2005
Survey methods were used to collect cross-sectional data on PTSD symptoms in the context of resources, risks, and strengths of a convenience sample of 315 low income women of Mexican descent. Women were compared by generation in the US, including Mexico-born women who immigrated as adults (Նage 18), as teens (age 12-17), or as children (Յage 12), and US-born women whose parents and/or grandparents were Mexico-born. Results showed that US-born women reported significantly more types of trauma than women who immigrated as adults or teens, and more PTSD symptoms than women who immigrated as adults. Also, one to three times as many women who were exposed to the United States before age 18 reported sexual trauma exposure compared with women who immigrated as adults. In a three-step multiple regression analysis, lack of intrinsic strength factors (13%) accounted for more variance in PTSD symptoms than resources (6%) or risks (10%; p Ͻ 0.001).
Trauma Violence & Abuse, 2009
Ethnically diverse populations of women, particularly survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), experience many barriers to mental health care. The search terms "women" and "domestic violence or IPV" and "mental health care" were used as a means to review the literature regarding barriers to mental health care and minority women. Abstracts chosen for further review included research studies with findings on women of one or more ethnic minority groups, potential barriers to accessing mental health care and a non-exclusive focus on IPV. Fifty-six articles were selected for this review. Identified barriers included a variety of patient, provider, and health system/ community factors. Attention to the barriers to mental health care for ethnically diverse survivors of IPV can help inform the development of more effective strategies for health care practice and policy. Keywords women; domestic violence; intimate partner violence; barriers; mental health care Background Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Ethnically Diverse Women's Mental Health Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a profound effect on women's mental health (CHIS, 2001; Johnson et al., 2007), and frequently extends to other outcomes including quality of life, social and occupational functioning, and physical health (Hedtke et al., 2008). IPV, also known as domestic abuse or domestic violence, is defined as single or recurrent episodes of any threat or act of mental, physical, and sexual types of abuse from a previous or current intimate partner (CDC, 2006). The abuse which IPV survivors endure has been found to be associated with a range of psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance abuse, which are often a consequence of partner abuse (Martin et al., 2008; Golding, 1999; Campbell & Lewandowsky, 1997), but can also be antecedent to involvement in violent or negative relationships (Briere & Jordan, 2004; McHugo et al. 2005). Mental health conditions may vary based on the severity, frequency, and type of partner violence that women experience. Greater severity of physical IPV is associated with an increase in PTSD symptoms for female survivors (Woods, 2000). The type of violence a survivor experiences may have a differential impact on mental health as well. A study surveying 9,800 women in North Carolina found that 54% of women reporting both physical and sexual violence reported one or more days in the past month in which their mental health was not good as compared to 28% who did not report any violence (Martin et al., 2008). Finally, survivors with a higher frequency of abusive incidents are two to four times more likely to experience PTSD, depression, and substance abuse than are singly victimized women (Hedtke et al., 2008). Women from minority populations are at higher risk for experiencing mental health problems and IPV by virtue of the greater likelihood that they are living in poverty which is associated with mental health problems. Thus, to the extent that minority women experiencing IPV are
Posttraumatic Stress among Victimized Latino Women: Evaluating the Role of Cultural Factors
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2015
Research examining victimization and posttraumatic symptomatology among Latinos is lacking in the extant literature. This analysis used the victimized subsample (N = 752) of the Sexual Assault Among Latinas Study. The aim was to evaluate victimization prevalence and test the following hypotheses: (a) that victimization would be associated with higher levels of posttraumatic symptoms, (b) that cultural factors that move away from traditional Latino culture would be associated with higher levels of posttraumatic symptomatology, and (c) that cultural factors associated with traditional Latino culture would be related to lower posttraumatic symptomatology. Average age of the sample was 44.57 years, with three fourths having a high school education or higher, and two thirds having a household income below $30,000. Of exposure types, adulthood threats were most likely to result in Criterion A traumatic events (23.4%). Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) based PTSD Checklist, between 8.8% and 45.5% of individuals met presumed PTSD diagnosis based on various PCL cut scores or algorithm criteria. Regression analyses indicated that the combined different types of adult and childhood victimizations, masculine gender role, and negative religious coping were associated with increased symptoms (βs ranging from .16 to .27). The results suggested a role of culture in posttraumatic symptoms for Latinas. The Latino population is the largest and one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. They comprise 16.3% of the current population and experienced 43% growth since 2000 (Humes, Jones, & Ramirez, 2011). This group, however, is underrepresented in the trauma literature with many studies ignoring culturally salient components that may play a role in the manifestation of posttraumatic symptoms among Latinos. Although they do not necessarily endure more traumatic experiences, research has indicated that Latino women are more likely to develop stress related symptoms after a traumatic event than non-Latinos and they manifest these symptoms for longer periods (Pole, Best, Metzler, & Marmar,
Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Women Exposed to Community and Partner Violence
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2005
Prior research documents increased trauma symptoms associated with exposure to violence, primarily by examining types of violence separately. This study extends prior research by examining traumatic stress symptoms associated with two types of violence exposure, community violence and partner violence. A sample of 90 lowincome African American women from an urban area completed measures assessing exposure to community violence, partner violence, and trauma symptoms. Exposure to community violence and partner violence were associated with increased reporting of trauma symptoms. Participants who experienced high levels of exposure to both types of violence reported more trauma symptoms than women who were exposed to only one type of violence or neither type of violence. The results suggest that the accumulation of exposures to violence is linked with greater distress. Thus, interventions with women exposed to violence should assess violence exposure in multiple domains and attend to t...
The WHO estimates that globally about 27% of women between the ages of 15-49 years have faced physical or sexual violence committed by their intimate partner. While there is no question that IPV is a major public health problem, it is important to note that it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and minority groups, and also adds to health disparities in the USA. There are several possible factors that contribute to this higher prevalence among ethnic and cultural minorities. Generally, financial status, legal issues, lack of social support are believed to be associated with the occurrence of IPV. However, women from cultural and ethnic minorities face additional complications in the form of acculturative stress, family structure, oppression, community response and support, and internal coping mechanisms. One of the most commonly reported barriers in utilizing IPV related support and care among women from minority groups, and immigrant women in particular, is the lack of culturally competent or appropriate care. This paper is directed towards interdisciplinary practitioners involved in the fields of public health services, social work, mental health services, and medical practitioners or clinicians, as well as those designing interventions to understand the situation and provide better preventive and post-trauma services to survivors of IPV.
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 2008
A considerable body of research has demonstrated that women who are abused by their male romantic partners are at substantially elevated risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article reviews recent literature regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) and resultant PTSD symptoms. The article is intended to be an introduction to the topic rather than an exhaustive review of the extensive literature in this area. Factors that enhance and reduce the risk for PTSD, including social support, coping styles, and types of abusive behavior experienced, are described. In addition, the unique risks associated with IPV for women who have children are discussed. Prevention efforts and treatment are briefly reviewed.
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2013
The relationship between partner violence and physical health symptoms is well-established. Although some researchers have theorized that the physical health effects of partner violence may be worse for ethnic minority women, there is little research addressing this topic. The current study examined whether African American women demonstrate a differential association in this relationship than Caucasian women. This study included 323 women (232 African American, 91 Caucasian) who participated in a larger investigation of the psychological and psychophysiological correlates of recent partner violence among women seeking help for the abuse. Race was examined as a moderator of the relationship between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms. Although mean levels of partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms did not significantly differ between African American and Caucasian women, linear regression analyses demonstrated a significant positive relationship between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms for African American women; whereas there was no association observed between these variables for Caucasian women. Post hoc analyses revealed that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms partially mediated the association between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms for the African American women. The current findings underscore the importance of considering race when studying the effect of partner violence on women's health.
Journal of Psychological Trauma, 2008
Psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are prevalent among adults with severe mental illness. A sample of 38 women in intensive community mental health services was assessed with psychometrically validated structured interview measures. Exposure to multiple types of psychological traumas was reported by 95% of respondents; almost half (44%) met criteria for current PTSD, and an equal number met criteria for Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS). Another 40% did not meet criteria for either PTSD or DESNOS. Women of color were less likely than White women to meet criteria for PTSD. Although no specific type of psychological trauma was particularly associated with PTSD, sexual and medical trauma were strongly and consistently associated with DESNOS. Among women of color, domestic violence