Citation

Brown J, Burnette ML, Cerulli C. J. Interpers. Violence 2015; 30(15): 2709-2725.

Affiliation

University of Rochester, NY, USA Catherine_Cerulli@urmc.rochester.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260514553629

PMID

25324230

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV), childhood abuse, and sexual assault in adulthood are profound public health concerns, particularly for women. Exposure to trauma can contribute to long-standing health problems and escalated medical costs. Unfortunately, these experiences are often intertwined. Sexual assault often occurs in intimate relationships in which there is concurrent IPV; likewise, many victims of IPV have experienced childhood abuse. The prevalent intersections of these struggles can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This article examines the contributions of childhood abuse histories and sexual assault to PTSD symptoms among women experiencing IPV.

FINDINGS suggest childhood abuse experiences account for more variance in PTSD symptoms than adult sexual assault. Clinical implications are discussed.

Language: en