The devastating physical and emotional effects associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) affect nearly 1.2 million women in the United States yearly. The first assault is only the beginning of the terror, injuries, and desperation that can continue through a woman's life. Knowledge regarding the dynamic interplay among the physiological and psychological factors affecting the health of women who have experienced violence and trauma is limited, particularly as it relates to repeated traumatic experiences. Most studies of trauma survivor groups are conducted cross-sectionally, yielding much information, but this methodology provides only a single observation in time. Little is known in nursing or other disciplines about how the impact of IPV might affect health over time. The purpose of this study is to examine relationships among IPV, childhood maltreatment, resilience, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on health outcomes, including self-report physical health, diurnal adrenocortical hormones, and immune function in 156 battered women from shelters and the community over 24-months. A predictive-explanatory design will be employed to test a model of these relationships and address three research objectives: 1) to test the cross-sectional fit of the model and identify possible mediating and moderating paths, 2) to longitudinally examine patterns of relationships among diurnal adrenocortical hormones, immune function and PTSD, and 3) to longitudinally test the fit of the full model. Structural equation modeling (SEM) will be used to model the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between model constructs and growth curve modeling will be used to examine trajectories of change in PTSD, diurnal adrenocortical hormones, and immune function over 24-months. Exploratory analyses will be used to identify predictors of individual patterns of change. This study will increase knowledge regarding the relationships between psychosocial and physiologic responses to trauma and their impact on women's health over time. Findings will provide a theoretical foundation upon which to develop nursing interventions directed towards the prevention and reduction of long-term physical and mental health consequences of IPV. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NR009286-03
Application #
7267698
Study Section
Nursing Science: Children and Families Study Section (NSCF)
Program Officer
Mann Koepke, Kathy M
Project Start
2005-09-15
Project End
2010-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$471,761
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Akron
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
045207552
City
Akron
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44325
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Woods, Stephanie J; Hall, Rosalie J; Campbell, Jacquelyn C et al. (2008) Physical health and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in women experiencing intimate partner violence. J Midwifery Womens Health 53:538-46