No abstract

Using a nationally representative sample of American married or cohabiting women, this prospective study examined women who reported or denied intimate partner violence (IPV) at wave 1 and compared them on a range of psychosocial outcomes at a 5-year follow-up. This study also examined the rate of divorce or separation during the 5-year interval among women who reported IPV at wave 1 and explored whether certain predictors were related to ending an abusive relationship with an intimate partner during the period. Women with IPV at wave 1, compared to women without IPV, were significantly more likely to experience a greater degree of depressive symptoms and functional impairment and less self-esteem and life satisfaction at the 5-year follow-up. Also, nearly half of the women in an abusive relationship left the relationship within the period. Leaving the abusive relationship was associated with lower individual income and more social support at wave 1.

Objective This study was designed to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of a new shelter-based treatment for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV; i.e., HOPE). Method A phase I randomized clinical trial comparing HOPE (n = 35) to standard shelter services (SSS) (n = 35) was conducted. Primary outcome measures included the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Revised Conflict Tactic Scales. Participants were followed at 1-week, 3- and 6-months post-shelter. Results Participants reported HOPE to be credible and indicated a high degree of satisfaction with treatment. Only two women withdrew from treatment. Both intent to treat (ITT) and minimal attendance (MA) analyses found that HOPE treatment relative to SSS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of re-abuse over the 6-month follow-up period (OR = 5.1, RR = 1.75; OR = 12.6, RR = 3.12, respectively). Results of hierarchical linear model (HLM) analyses found a significant treatment effect for emotional numbing symptom severity in the ITT sample, t (67) = −2.046, p <.05, and significant treatment effects for effortful avoidance symptom severity, t (49) = −2.506, p < .05 and arousal symptom severity, t (49) = −2.04, p <.05, in the MA sample. Significant effects were also found for depression severity, empowerment, and social support. Conclusions Results support the acceptability and feasibility of HOPE and suggest that HOPE may be a promising treatment for IPV victims in shelter. However, results also suggest that modifications to HOPE may be required to improve treatment outcomes.

The association between trauma and personality disorders (PDs), while receiving much attention and debate, has not been comprehensively examined for multiple types of trauma and PDs. The authors examined data from a multisite study of four PD groups: schizotypal, borderline (BPD), avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive, and a major depression comparison group. Rates of traumatic exposure to specific types of trauma, age of first trauma onset, and rates of posttraumatic stress disorder are compared. Results indicate that BPD participants reported the highest rate of traumatic exposure (particularly to sexual traumas, including childhood sexual abuse), the highest rate of posttraumatic stress disorder, and youngest age of first traumatic event. Those with the more severe PDs (schizotypal, BPD) reported more types of traumatic exposure and higher rates of being physically attacked (childhood and adult) when compared to other groups. These results suggest a specific relationship between BPD and sexual trauma (childhood and adult) that does not exist among other PDs. In addition, they support an association between severity of PD and severity of traumatic exposure, as indicated by earlier trauma onset, trauma of an assaultive and personal nature, and more types of traumatic events.