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

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. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.