Paper
Thursday, July 22, 2004
This presentation is part of : Marginalization and People's Health
Intimate Partner Violence as a Predictor of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity in Women
N. Margaret Wineman, RN, PhD, CNS, APRN, BC1, Stephanie J. Woods, RN, PhD1, and Melissa K. Zupancic, RN, CS, APRN, BC2. (1) College of Nursing, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA, (2) Department of Veterans Affairs/Psychiatry, Veterans Administration, Brecksville, OH, USA
Learning Objective #1: Identify the impact of the types of intimate partner violence (IPV) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity
Learning Objective #2: Identify how the empirical research evidence about IPV and PTSD may be used to promote optimal patient care outcomes
Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between five types of intimate partner violence (IPV) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptom clusters of avoidance, intrusion/re-experiencing, and hyperarousal.

Design: A cross-sectional, predictive-correlational design was used.

Sample, Setting, Years: A convenience sample of 126 abused women (48% Caucasian, 37% African American, 4% Hispanic, and 5% American Indian/Alaskan Native or Asian/Pacific Islander), who have been in an abusive intimate relationship an average of 6 years, was recruited in 2002. Mean age was 34.05 (SD 9.07) years.

Concepts: Five types of intimate partner violence (physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, sexual violence, threats of violence, and risk of homicide) were assessed. PTSD and its symptom clusters were also measured by the PSS.

Methods: Descriptive, correlational, and multiple regression analyses were used.

Findings: Together, the five types of IPV explained 45% of the variance in PTSD symptom severity (F = 21.43, p < .001). Singly, each type of IPV was predictive of PTSD symptom severity. However, when each variable was given the opportunity to be entered into the regression last, only emotional abuse predicted a significant portion of the variance in symptom severity (Beta = .45, t = 4.02, p <. 001) and in each of the PTSD symptom clusters.

Conclusions: These ethnically diverse women experienced various types of intimate partner violence that influenced the severity of PTSD symptomatology as well as the individual symptom clusters. Emotional abuse appeared to have a strong and unique influence on the intensity of PTSD symptom severity.

Implications: These findings provide evidence for assessment. Nurses need to gather specific information about the various types of violence a woman may have experienced as the type may have a differential effect on PTSD symptom severity. This information also provides direction for individualizing interventions.

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