Post-Traumatic Bio-Behavioral Rehabilitation of Adult Female Victims

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Female abuse victims often exhibit dysregulated diurnal cortisol patterns, characterized by low morning cortisol and a flat diurnal slope.
• These cortisol dysregulations are similar to those observed in female violent perpetrators.
• The potential for bio-behavioral rehabilitation of these patterns in abuse victims remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if bio-behavioral rehabilitation programs can correct low resting basal AM cortisol and flat diurnal cortisol slopes in adult female abuse victims.
• To determine if healthier diurnal cortisol patterns are associated with reduced aggression in this population.

Main Methods:

• A non-experimental, naturalistic study was conducted over one month in 2018-2019.
• Participants were females residing in a homeless mission and engaged in its programs.
• Evaluated measures included basal salivary cortisol (AM, PM, slope), aggression, neurological conditions, general health, alcohol use, history of abuse, religion, spirituality, and forgiveness.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in mean cortisol levels (AM, PM, slope), aggression, emotional/behavioral dyscontrol, and general health after one month of program participation.
• Paired t-tests indicated significant improvements specifically in aggression and health.
• Healthier cortisol patterns correlated significantly with longer periods since last alcohol use and abuse, reduced aggression, better health, and increased levels of religion, spirituality, and forgiveness.

Conclusions:

• Community-based programs may offer cost-effective post-traumatic bio-behavioral rehabilitation for abuse victims.
• Forgiveness appears to play a significant role in the recovery process for abuse victims.
• While promising, larger sample sizes and broader settings are necessary for further validation.