Borderline Traits and Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress in a Sample of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Karlijn F. Kuijpers, Leontien M. van der Knaap, Frans Willem Winkel, Antony Pemberton, Anna C. Baldry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Research has shown that symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are prevalent among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Furthermore, positive correlations have been reported between IPV victimization and borderline traits, and borderline traits and PTSD symptomatology. Although there is some evidence that individuals with a borderline disorder are vulnerable to developing PTSD after experiencing trauma, to our knowledge, this has never been studied empirically among a sample of victims of IPV in specifi c. However, the presence of borderline traits might place these victims at higher risk for developing PTSD symptoms as well. In the current study, associations between PTSD symptoms and borderline traits were examined in a Dutch sample of female help-seeking victims of IPV (n = 120). As hypothesized, it was found that borderline traits signifi cantly add to the vulnerability for development of PTSD in IPV victims, above and beyond the severity of IPV. Results are discussed in the light of practical implications like an early screening for borderline traits in treatment of victims of IPV
Original languageAmerican English
JournalStress and Health
Volume27
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2011
Externally publishedYes

Disciplines

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology

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