Psychological stress reactions of women in Sweden who have been assaulted: acute response and four-month follow-up.
Violence is a global health problem. Women in particular are likely to be targets of violent behavior. This study investigated the reactions of female victims to an individual act of interpersonal violence. A sample of 68 assaulted women registered as injured parties in 2 police districts were assessed for symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 3 weeks and after 4 months. Risk factors for developing psychological distress in the long-term were explored. High rates of ASD symptoms and distress measured with Post Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS-10), Impact of Event Scale (IES), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20) were reported by the women in the acute phase. Four months post-assault, the high rates of stress reactions measured with PTSS-10, IES, and GHQ-20 were significantly reduced, but not for all the women. Dissatisfaction with one's previous life, previous mental health problems, post-assault life events and earlier abuse were risk factors for 4 months post-assault stress reactions.
Renck
Barbro
B
Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden. Barbro.Renck@kau.se
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016014:Linear Models; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*