Assessing the relationship of exposure to violence, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neuropsychological functioning

Substantial research has documented the effects of exposure to various types of violence. In terms of community violence, studies have assessed the impact of this epidemic on psychological well being of individuals (Dubrow & Garbarino, 1989; Ritchers & Martinez, 1993; Duncan, 1996; Hill, Levermore, Twaite & Jones, 1996) and have primarily focused on children and adolescents. However, in the adult population there is significantly less documentation of the role of exposure to violence. In terms of domestic violence, women disproportionately fall victim to domestic violence and evidence vulnerability to negative psychological consequences. One common theme for exposure community and domestic violence appears to be vulnerability to trauma symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).; Current research on community violence and domestic violence evidences correlates to trauma symptoms ranging from acute to diagnosable posttraumatic stress disorder. This study sought to extend the body of literature on exposure to violence and psychological functioning by assessing (1) exposure to community violence in the adult population, (2) exposure to domestic violence, and (3) exposure to both community and domestic violence. Additionally, this study sought to add to the literature on trauma and brain functioning by assessing neuropsychological functioning, specifically working memory and executive cognitive functioning. The sample consisted of 92 African American women from the community, in a metropolitan area (mean age = 37.37). The study involved an interview session where questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery were completed. The data indicated that community violence served to predict trauma symptoms as did partner violence (R2 = .18 and R2 = .31, respectively).; Community violence also predicted likelihood PTSD diagnosis (R 2 = .19). Partner violence did not. The multiplicative effect of being exposed to both forms of violence also showed no relationship to trauma symptoms or likelihood of PTSD diagnosis. As indicated by correlational and regression analysis no relationships existed between the measures of violence (community or partner) and the neuropsychological measures. This is one of few studies focusing on adult populations exposed to community violence. The findings clearly indicated that exposure to community or partner violence serve to compromises a women's psychological well-being.