Trauma responses to intimate partner violence: a review of current knowledge

It is now well established that those who are survivors of intimate partner violence are at increased risk of subsequently experiencing a wide range of mental health problems. Among the most significant of these is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), although relatively little is known about its course and onset in this particular group. It has also been suggested that the diagnosis of PTSD is often insufficient and, at times, inappropriate, when seeking to account for the effects of repeated trauma, with the construct of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder proposed as an alternative. This review critically evaluates current thinking and research in this area, highlighting the implications of this body of work for understanding the consequences of aggressive and violent behavior directed toward intimate partners.