Battered women have been identified as being at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study further articulated the nature of the relationship between the trauma of battery and PTSD. One hundred seventy-nine battered women and 48 nonbattered but verbally abused women were recruited from several sources (shelters, support groups, therapist referrals, community). Battered women with and without PTSD were compared with the finding that battered women with PTSD had experienced more physical abuse, more verbal abuse, more injuries, a greater sense of threat, and more forced sex than battered women without PTSD. Eighty-one percent of the physically abused group met the criteria for the PTSD diagnosis, although 63% of the verbally abused group met the criteria. In multiple regression analyses in the battered sample, the strongest predictors of extent of PTSD were (in order of variance explained) the use of disengagement coping strategies to handle the battery, experiencing of negative life events, the battery experience, and lack of perceived social support. The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder is important to consider when a woman has experienced a physically abusive relationship, but also when the experience has been of a verbally abusive relationship. It also is important to assess coping strategies, social support, and stressors to evaluate the potential psychological impact of the abuse.
A sample of 77 battered women in shelters was examined for the presence or absence of a post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Self‐report data were obtained on battery characteristics, extent of intrusion and avoidance, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology. Eight‐four percent of the sample met the DSM‐III‐R criteria for PTSD according to self‐report. The reported subjective distress regarding the battery experience was positively correlated with presence and degree of PTSD, intrusion, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology. Extent of abuse was positively related to presence and degree of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and overall symptom distress. Length of the abusive relationship was least related to the outcome variables. The results of this study indicated that the shelter population of battered women is at high risk for post‐traumatic stress disorder and this is linked with characteristics of the battery experience. The usefulness of these findings with regards to diagnosis and treatment is discussed.
BackgroundDespite the burden of acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being a substantial cause of childhood morbidity and associated costs to families, communities and the health system, data on disease burden in urban children are lacking. Consequently evidence-based decision-making, data management guidelines, health resourcing for primary health care services and prevention strategies are lacking. This study aims to comprehensively describe the epidemiology, impact and outcomes of ARI in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) in the greater Brisbane area.Methods/DesignAn ongoing prospective cohort study of Indigenous children aged less than five years registered with a primary health care service in Northern Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Children are recruited at time of presentation to the service for any reason. Demographic, epidemiological, risk factor, microbiological, economic and clinical data are collected at enrolment. Enrolled children are followed for 12 months during which time ARI events, changes in child characteristics over time and monthly nasal swabs are collected. Children who develop an ARI with cough as a symptom during the study period are more intensely followed-up for 28 (±3) days including weekly nasal swabs and parent completed cough diary cards. Children with persistent cough at day 28 post-ARI are reviewed by a paediatrician.DiscussionOur study will be one of the first to comprehensively evaluate the natural history, epidemiology, aetiology, economic impact and outcomes of ARIs in this population. The results will inform studies for the development of evidence-based guidelines to improve the early detection, prevention and management of chronic cough and setting of priorities in children during and after ARI.Trial registrationAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Registration Number: 12614001214628. Registered 18 November 2014
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