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Reductions in PTSD symptom clusters among perinatal and postnatal survivors of intimate partner violence
Background:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a leading cause of injury among women, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Experiencing IPV increases the risk of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD during the perinatal period is associated with poorer maternal mental health and adverse early child outcomes. Heartbeats (HB) is a hospital-based, community-linked violence intervention program designed to reduce morbidity and mortality among perinatal and postnatal survivors of IPV. HB provides crisis intervention, intensive case management, and counseling to pregnant patients up to 2 years postpartum who have experienced IPV. Given the high burden of mental health concerns in this population, a primary goal of HB is to reduce PTSD symptoms.
Methods:
This study was conducted at a Level 1 trauma center. Participants were identified through IPV-related injury presentations, routine hospital screening, or referrals. Seventy-four participants completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) at intake (baseline) and 4 months postbaseline (follow-up). Total PTSD and subscale scores were calculated for intrusion (re-experiencing), avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity (hyperarousal). Paired-samples t tests assessed changes from baseline to follow-up.
Results:
Significant reductions were observed in total PTSD symptoms (M=9.16, SD=23.64, p =0.003) and across all subscales: intrusion (re-experiencing; M=2.76, SD=6.19, p <0.001), avoidance (M=1.18, SD=2.90, p <0.001), negative alterations in cognition and mood (M=3.82, SD=8.83, p <0.001), and alterations in arousal and reactivity (hyperarousal; M=2.33, SD=7.25, p =0.008).
Conclusions:
HB program participation was associated with significant reductions in overall PTSD severity and each DSM-5 symptom cluster. These findings support the potential of integrated hospital-based, community-linked programs to improve trauma recovery outcomes among perinatal survivors of IPV.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic/Epidemiological; Level III.
