| Abstract
Previous research has indicated that interpersonal violence (IPV) is a central factor in the lives of incarcerated women; and surveys of this population have demonstrated strong links between histories of IPV and later mental illness, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The topic of PTSD is therefore particularly relevant for incarcerated women, whose rates of PTSD are considerably higher than women in the general population. However, not all individuals exposed to IPV develop PTSD and there is limited understanding of the routes through which such symptoms develop. Existing research has identified experiential avoidance techniques, such as dissociation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as significant predictors of PTSD. Although both dissociation and NSSI are common among female incarcerated populations, there are no current studies that include assessment of both trait dissociation and NSSI in the relationship between lifetime traumatic experiences and current PTSD in incarcerated women. The purpose of this study is to gain a more in depth understanding of the relationship between incarcerated women’s experiences of IPV and later PTSD symptoms as mediated by these specific avoidance strategies. Participants for the current study included 224 female inmates from a sample taken from women’s correctional institutions in a northwest state who chose to take part in a longitudinal treatment outcome study. It was hypothesized that (1) lifetime trauma would predict current symptoms of PTSD; that (2) trait dissociation would mediate the relationship between lifetime trauma and PTSD; and that (3) NSSI would moderate the relationship between dissociation and PTSD. Regression analyses demonstrated that dissociation significantly mediated the relationship between IPV and PTSD. However, neither a history of engaging in NSSI, frequency of NSSI behavior, NSSI severity scores, nor need for medical attention subsequent to NSSI moderated this relationship. The results of this study have the potential to contribute to our knowledge of female inmate populations and their mental health needs (e.g., prevention and treatment of traumatic symptoms). |