Study Links Partner Violence Against Men To PTSD

Men comprise 25–50% of all intimate partner violence victims in a given year and now researchers have published the first studies linking domestic abuse against men by their female partners to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, according to the American Psychological Association.

PTSD is a psychiatric condition that can follow the experience of a traumatic incident and the experience of intimate partner violence is generally considered to be a traumatic event.

Intimate partner violence, which includes physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment of one partner against another, is a national social and health problem affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals and families a year, according to the study titled “Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Men Who Sustain Intimate Partner Violence” published in the April issue of Psychology of Men & Masculinity.

“Overall, our study is the first to provide information on the mental health of men who sustain intimate terrorism and seek help,” researcher Denise Hines wrote in her paper. “A majority of these men are suffering from PTSD, which seems to be a direct result of the physical intimate partner violence and controlling behaviors they are sustaining in their relationships.”

(Watch Hines’ interview on DadsDivorce.com discussing PTSD and male domestic violence victims.)

More research is now being conducted on the prevalence and significance of domestic violence perpetrated against men since studies show there is a severe underreporting of partner abuse against men, according to researcher Anna Randle, lead author the study “A Review of the Evidence on the Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Men.”

“For example, men are not as likely to report serious injuries due to abuse, and psychological or less violent abuse is more likely to go unreported to authorities,” Randle wrote. “In addition, police are less likely to arrest female suspects accused of violence than male suspects,” according to another study cited by Randle.

Researchers suggest there needs to be more “rigorous” research focusing specifically on male victims since the lack of reliable data has led to confusion on domestic violence effects on men.

Cordell and Cordell Family Law attorneys fight for men’s rights so if you are the victim of domestic violence, contact Cordell & Cordell immediately.