Intimate Partner Violence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among High-Risk Women: Does Pregnancy Matter?

• NCJ Number: 230252
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 426-443
• Author(s): Caroline C. Stampfel; Derek A. Chapman; Andrea E. Alvarez
• Date Published: April 2010
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the utility of using data from the Chicago Women's Health Risk Study to assess prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to describe factors associated with IPV and PTSD in a high-risk population, and to determine whether the effects of pregnancy on IPV and PTSD vary by race/ethnicity.

Abstract

Interviews from 655 women participating in the Chicago Women's Health Risk Study (CWHRS) were used to assess prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Black women had the highest rate of IPV overall and among pregnant women, and had decreased odds of PTSD compared to Black nonpregnant women. Hispanic pregnant women, however, had decreased odds of IPV and PTSD compared to Hispanic nonpregnant women. Disparities in IPV by race/ ethnicity and pregnancy status complicate the study of IPV and PTSD and have implications for the public health community. Figures, tables, and references (Published Abstract)