Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries (January 11 - 14, 2007)

Purpose: This study is designed to examine the mediating effects of perceived social support and self-blame in the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and PTSD.

Methods: A total of 100 Caucasian women who had experienced IPV were recruited from four domestic violence agencies in Texas. The survey included items measuring level of IPV, perceived social support, self-blame, PTSD, demographic characteristics, and childhood sexual abuses (CSA). Bivariate and multivariate statistics were utilized to address the research questions.

Results: Since a bivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between CSA and PTSD (r = .242, p < .05), CSA was controlled in a multivariate analysis. A bivariate analysis also provided evidence that significant relationships exists between predictor variable (level of IPV), mediating variables (perceived social support and self-blame), and dependent variable (PTSD). A series of regression analyses showed that perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between level of IPV and PTSD. The effects of IPV on PTSD were reduced (from b=.343; p<.001 to b =.275; p<.01) when perceived social support was entered into the model. Self-blame also had mediating effects in the IPV-PTSD link. The effects of IPV on PTSD were reduced (from b=.343; p<.001 to b =.279; p<.01) when self-blame was entered into the model.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that high levels of IPV are associated with a lowered perceived social support, which in turn, is associated with higher levels of PTSD. On the other hand, high levels of IPV are associated with an increased use of self-blame, which in turn, is associated with higher levels of PTSD.