Major depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder comorbidity in female victims of intimate partner violence

Abstract 

Background & Methods: Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) often develop psychiatric disorders. We examined the extent and correlates of comorbidity between two of the disorders most frequently linked to trauma – major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – in a group of 44 women who were victims of IPV within the preceding 2 years. Results: MDD (68.2%) and PTSD (50.0%) were highly prevalent on a lifetime basis in female victims of IPV. On a current basis, MDD (18.2%) and IPV-related PTSD (31.8%) were more frequently comorbid (42.9% of cases of current IPV-related PTSD also had MDD) than would be expected by chance (P<0.001). Most cases of current MDD occurred in persons who also had current IPV-related PTSD. Severity of depressive and PTSD symptoms were highly correlated (r=0.84). Although women with PTSD were significantly more disabled than women without PTSD, persons with comorbid PTSD and MDD were not significantly more disabled than those with PTSD alone. Limitations: Cross-sectional study; entry criteria for study may limit generalizability. Conclusions: PTSD and MDD symptoms are frequently seen in the aftermath of IPV, and often co-occur. The usefulness of the distinction between PTSD and MDD in this context remains to be determined, both in terms of diagnostic classification and prognostic implications.

Keywords:  Domestic violence, Intimate partner violence, Major depressive disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder