TY - JOUR
PY - 2015//
TI - Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among battered women in Lebanon: an exploratory study
JO - Journal of interpersonal violence
A1 - Khadra, Christelle
A1 - Wehbe, Nancy
A1 - Lachance Fiola, Jacinthe
A1 - Skaff, Wadih
A1 - Nehmé, Mona
SP - 295
EP - 313
VL - 30
IS - 2
N2 - Intimate partner violence against women is common in Lebanon and can lead to major health problems. However, the incidence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in battered women has not been extensively explored in the Lebanese cultural context. The objectives of this study were as follows: (a) to determine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among women in Lebanon who have been physically abused by their partners, (b) to assess whether the rate of PTSD symptoms varied according to sociodemographic variables, and (c) to reveal other attributes that might be risk factors for developing symptoms of PTSD. Of the 95 physically abused women who met inclusion criteria, 85 completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic questions, the physical abuse subscale of the Composite Abuse Scale (CAS), and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C).
RESULTS showed a high prevalence of PTSD symptoms (97%), positively correlated with physical violence (r =.719). Lower education level and recent abuse were correlated with symptom severity, as were the number of problematic habitual behaviors in the abusive partner and the use of psychotherapy. Increased involvement of health care professionals in the detection of women at risk, with referral to appropriate resources, is suggested to improve prevention and management efforts.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0886-2605 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260514534774 ID - ref1 ER -