Citation

Hellmuth JC, Jaquier V, Swan SC, Sullivan TP. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2014; 70(10): 1008-1021.

Affiliation

Yale University School of Medicine.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.22100

PMID

24752965

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study employed latent class analysis to identify profiles of women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) based on the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

METHOD: Self-report data from a sample of 369 women experiencing bidirectional IPV was used.

RESULTS: A 3-class solution comprising low, moderate, and high PTSD severity profiles best fit the data. Profiles were differentially related to whether IPV victimization was considered traumatic (PTSD criterion A); whether functioning was impaired as a result of PTSD symptoms (PTSD criterion F); whether the woman met full diagnostic criteria for PTSD; depression symptom severity; and severity of psychological, physical, and sexual IPV victimization and use of IPV. An extremely high percentage of women in the high (96%) and moderate (88%) severity classes experienced functional impairment, although many did not meet full diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the need for interventions individually tailored to one's treatment needs based on the nature of one's traumatic stressor and the impact of PTSD on daily functioning.

Language: en