The role of PTSD and length of shelter stay in battered women's severity of re-abuse after leaving shelter.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is associated with significant morbidity, including high rates of re-abuse even after women have taken steps to achieve safety. This study evaluated the roles of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and length of shelter stay in the severity of re-abuse in 103 IPV victims over a six month period after leaving a battered women's shelter. Results suggest that the length of shelter stay is inversely related to re-abuse severity after leaving shelter. Additionally, more severe PTSD symptoms upon shelter exit were associated with greater re-abuse severity after leaving shelter. Furthermore, additional study findings support prior research suggesting that the emotional numbing symptoms of PTSD are a significant risk factor for re-abuse among IPV victims after leaving shelter.