Date of Award

2011

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.Sc.

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Clinical psychology.

Supervisor

Timmons-Fritz, Patti (Psychology)

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Intimate relationships involving one partner controlling another, as in the type of intimate partner violence (IPV) called intimate terrorism (IT), have been associated with more negative outcomes than aggressive relationships without controlling behaviours, called situational couple violence (SCV; Johnson & Leone, 2005). Attributions of self-blame for victimization have also previously been examined for their ability to predict negative outcomes. The current study examines self-blame and IPV type as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Twenty-four women residing in a homeless shelter completed questionnaires assessing IPV, self-blame, depression, and PTSD. Victims of IT reported higher characterological self-blame than victims of SCV. PTSD symptoms were significantly predicted by IPV type, but not self-blame. Self-blame and IPV type did not significantly predict depression. PTSD and depression among homeless IPV female victims appear to arise through different mechanisms, and IPV type is important for determining who is most at risk for PTSD.

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