The direct and indirect effects of posttraumatic stress disorder on relationship quality and intimate partner violence perpetration
Abstract
The current study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the direct and indirect effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on relationship quality and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in a sample of 895 undergraduates. Social information processing, substance use, and aggressivity were examined as potential mediators of the association between PTSD and relationship outcomes. The majority of the sample (91%) reported experiencing one or more potentially traumatic events and consistent with prevalence rates, about 12% of the sample met criteria for PTSD. Approximately one-third of participants reported perpetrating physical violence and almost 80% reported perpetrating psychological violence. SEM results showed that PTSD symptoms fully accounted for the association between trauma exposure and relationship outcomes. Furthermore, social information processing accounted for the relationship between PTSD symptoms and both relationship quality and PTSD and IPV perpetration. Finally, potential gender differences were also explored.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Eckhardt, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology|Clinical psychology
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