Title | Testing posttraumatic stress as a mediator of physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner violence and substance problems among women. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Sullivan, Tami P., Courtenay E. Cavanaugh, Julia D. Buckner, and Donald Edmondson |
Journal | Journal of traumatic stress |
Volume | 22 |
Issue | 6 |
Pagination | 575-84 |
Date Published | 2009 Dec |
ISSN | 1573-6598 |
Keywords | Adult, Alcoholism, Causality, Coercion, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Rape, Risk Factors, Sex Offenses, Spouse Abuse, Statistics as Topic, Street Drugs, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Substance-Related Disorders |
Abstract | This study examined whether posttraumatic stress specifically resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV-related posttraumatic stress) mediated relationships between types of IPV and drug and alcohol problems among 212 women currently experiencing IPV. Six-month prevalence was high for drug use (48%) and alcohol use (59%). Structural equation modeling revealed that the frequency of physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were significantly and positively related to greater IPV-related posttraumatic stress, and IPV-related posttraumatic stress was significantly and positively related to drug problems. Further, IPV-related posttraumatic stress mediated the relationships between physical IPV and drug problems and psychological IPV and drug problems. Findings suggest that prevention and intervention efforts targeting posttraumatic stress among IPV-exposed women may reduce drug problems in this population. |
Alternate Journal | J Trauma Stress |