Cumulative trauma and partner conflict predict post-traumatic stress disorder in postpartum African-American women.
OBJECTIVE
To describe relationships between cumulative trauma, partner conflict and post-traumatic stress in African-American postpartum women.


BACKGROUND
Cumulative trauma exposure estimates for women in the USA range from 51-69%. During pregnancy, most trauma research has focused on physical injury to the mother. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with trauma and more prevalent in African-American women than women of other groups. Knowledge about both the rate and impact of cumulative trauma on pregnancy may contribute to our understanding of women seeking prenatal care, and disparities in infant morbidity and mortality.


METHODS
This retrospective, correlational, cross-sectional study took place on postpartum units of two Detroit hospitals. Participants were 150 African-American women aged between 18-45 who had given birth.


METHODS
Mothers completed the Cumulative Trauma Scale, Conflict Tactics Scale, Clinician Administered Post-traumatic Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a Demographic Data form. Descriptive statistics, correlations and multiple regressions were used for data analysis.


RESULTS
All participants reported at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Cumulative trauma and partner conflict predicted PTSD, with the trauma of a life-threatening event for a loved one reported by 60% of the sample. Nearly, one-fourth of the women screened were at risk for PTSD. Increased cumulative trauma, increased partner conflict and lower level of education were related to higher rates of PTSD symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Both cumulative trauma and partner conflict in the past year predict PTSD. Reasoning was used most often for partner conflict resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study offer additional knowledge regarding relationships between cumulative trauma, partner conflict and PTSD in African-American women. Healthcare providers need to be sensitive to patient life-threatening events, personal failures, abuse and other types of trauma. Current evidence supports the need to assess for post-traumatic stress symptoms during pregnancy.
Family, Community, and Mental Health, College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
Nancy J
NJ
Hauff
Family, Community, and Mental Health, College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
Judith
J
Fry-McComish
College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
Lisa M
LM
Chiodo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018743:Perinatal Care; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American
discrimination; domestic violence; stress; trauma