Citation

Stuart GL, Moore TM, Gordon KC, Ramsey SE, Kahler CW. J. Interpers. Violence 2006; 21(3): 376-389.

Affiliation

Brown Medical School and Butler Hospital. (Gregory_Stuart@Brown.EDU - Christopher_Kahler@Brown.EDU )

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260505282888

PMID

16443597

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of psychopathology among women arrested for violence and whether the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) was associated with Axis I psychopathology. Women who were arrested for domestic violence perpetration and court referred to violence intervention programs (N= 103) completed measures of IPV victimization, perpetration, and psychopathology. Results revealed high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, substance use disorders, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Violence victimization was significantly associated with symptoms of psychopathology. Logistic regression analyses showed that sexual and psychological abuse by partners were associated with the presence of PTSD, depression, and GADdiagnoses. Results highlight the potential importance of the role of violence victimization in psychopathology. Results suggest that Axis I and Axis II psychopathology should routinely be assessed as part of violence intervention programs for women and that intervention programs could be improved by offering adjunct or integrated mental health treatment.