Attachment as a Moderator Between Intimate Partner Violence and PTSD Symptoms

• NCJ Number: 229959
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 1-9
• Author(s): Shelby Scott; Julia C. Babcock
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): R03 MH066943-01A1
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Houston; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether attachment patterns acted as a moderator between intimate partner violence and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been linked to traumatic experiences, including intimate partner violence. However, not all battered women develop PTSD symptoms. The current study tests attachment style as a moderator in the abuse - trauma link among a community sample women in violent and non-violent relationships. Both attachment anxiety and dependency were found to moderate the relation between intimate partner violence and PTSD symptoms. However, attachment closeness did not function as a moderator. Differences in attachment may help to explain why certain victims of domestic abuse may be more susceptible to experiencing PTSD symptoms. Clinically, these findings may aid in the prediction and prevention of PTSD symptoms in women victimized by intimate partner abuse. Tables, figures, and references (Published Abstract)