Assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder in battered women

In this paper we analyze the frequency and intensity of posttraumatic stress disorder in a sample of 100 battered women. Female users of social services and other institutions for maltreated women completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity Scale (Echeburúa, Corral, Amor, Zubizarreta, & Sarasua, 1997). Results show that there are no significant differences based on the type of maltreatment experienced (physical, psychological and sexual). Nevertheless, we have identified social support as a possible protective factor that buffers women against posttraumatic stress, and previous experience of violence as a risk factor associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)