PTSD symptoms among men and women survivors of intimate partner violence: the role of risk and protective factors

Violence Vict. 2005 Dec;20(6):625-43.

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis of the National Violence Against Women Survey was to characterize current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 185 men and 369 women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this subsample, 24% of women and 20% of men had current moderate-to-severe PTSD symptoms. PTSD scores were higher for women than men. Protective factors that appear to increase resiliency of survivors were higher education and income, being currently married, and reporting that IPV had stopped. Higher physical or psychological IPV scores, current depressive symptoms, and the survivor having left the relationship at least once were associated with risk of moderate-to-severe symptoms of PTSD. Protective factors may be used to boost resiliency of IPV survivors and reduce PTSD symptoms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sexual Partners / psychology
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology