Go Back Research Article June, 1993

Violence against women: Mental health effects. Part II. Conceptualizations of posttraumatic stress

Author Mary P. Koss Author Lisa A. Goodman Author Nancy Felipe Russo

Abstract

A broad range of psychological aftereffects have been noted among women who have experienced male-perpetrated violence. These symptoms vary considerably among individuals, across social contexts, and across different types of violent encounters (Coley & Beckett, 1988; Goodman, Koss, & Russo, 1992; Koss, 1988; Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). Nevertheless, a remarkably consistent picture of the psychological sequelae of violence—particularly sexual and physical assault—emerges from the empirical and clinical literature (Koss, 1988). In this article, we use the posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis—a frame that captures many of the disparate symptoms described by researchers—as a basis for exploring several conceptual models that have been developed to explain women's responses to violence.

Keywords

violence against women mental health effects posttraumatic stress ptsd psychological sequelae sexual assault physical assault male-perpetrated violence trauma response psychological aftereffects conceptual models empirical research clinical literature trauma symptoms social context victimization women's mental health psychological impact ptsd diagnosis trauma framework gender-based violence abuse survivors mental health disorders psychological trauma stress reactions coping mechanisms victim support ptsd models trauma theory long-term effects mental health research
Details
Volume 2
Issue 3
Pages 123–130
DOI 10.1016/s0962-1849(05)80118-0
ISSN 0962-1849
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