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The Mediation Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms on the Relationship of Intimate Partner Violence and IFN-γ Levels

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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

Background: Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) report greater stress and negative health consequences than nonabused women. Although an association between psychological stress and altered immune function has been shown, IPV studies have not investigated this relationship. Objective: This study explored the association of IPV with mental health symptoms and an immune marker to determine if posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms mediate the effect of IPV on pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ) cytokine levels. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative design was used to compare 62 women with IPV and 39 nonabused women. Results: Mean IFN-γ values were higher in abused women and in women with current PTSD symptoms. There were no significant relationships with potential confounding variables that could provide an alternative explanation for the increase in production of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: PTSD symptoms mediate the association between IPV and IFN-γ levels and may partially explain the association of mental health symptoms with physical health sequelae in IPV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Room 442, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, 410-502-3254

    Anne B. Woods, Gayle G. Page, Linda C. Pugh & Jacquelyn C. Campbell

  2. Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

    Patricia O’Campo

  3. Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

    Daniel Ford

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  1. Anne B. Woods
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  2. Gayle G. Page
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Correspondence to Anne B. Woods.

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Woods, A.B., Page, G.G., O’Campo, P. et al. The Mediation Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms on the Relationship of Intimate Partner Violence and IFN-γ Levels. Am J Community Psychol 36, 159–175 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-005-6240-7

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