The underlying role of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the association between intimate partner violence and deliberate self-harm among African American women

Abstract

African American women are at heightened risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and its negative consequences, including health-compromising behaviors. Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is one clinically-relevant behavior that has been understudied among African American women generally and those with exposure to IPV in particular. To date, no studies have examined factors that may account for the relationship between IPV and DSH. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the intercorrelations among IPV (physical, psychological, and sexual), PTSD, and DSH history and versatility, and the potentially mediating role of PTSD symptoms in the IPV-DSH relation. Participants were 197 African American community women currently experiencing IPV. Sixty participants (31%) reported a history of DSH. Among participants who reported DSH, there was an average endorsement of 2.3 unique forms of deliberate self-harm (i.e., DSH versatility). Significant positive associations were detected among physical IPV severity, psychological IPV severity, PTSD symptom severity, and DSH history and versatility. PTSD symptom severity mediated the relationships between physical and psychological IPV severity and DSH history and versatility. Results highlight the relevance of PTSD symptoms to DSH and suggest that treatments targeting PTSD symptoms may be useful in reducing DSH among IPV-exposed African American women.

Relationship of Physical Intimate Partner Violence with Mental Health Diagnoses in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample

“…104 Although the majority of PIPV research has focused primarily on women, 105 it was found that men also experience mental health problems associated with PIPV. 103,106 It is estimated that more than half of PIPV events are not reported to the police, 107 suggesting the need for intervention efforts aimed outside the realm of law enforcement.…”

Family factors associated with self‐harm in adults: a systematic review

“…Two studies by Weiss and colleagues (Weiss et al ., ; Weiss, Dixon‐Gordon, Duke and Sullivan, ) sought to explain the mediating factors which underlie the relationship between IPV and self‐harm. Weiss et al .…”

PTSD's risky behavior criterion: Relation with DSM-5 PTSD symptom clusters and psychopathology

“…Examples include substance use (James et al, 2014), risky sexual behaviors (Weiss et al, 2014), and deliberate self-harm (Weiss et al, 2015a). Indeed, a study on Veterans receiving treatment for PTSD indicated that a significant number of deaths were related to substance use, suicide, and homicide (Drescher et al, 2003).…”