VULNERABILITY FACTORS FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

The study investigates relationships between pre-traumatic, peri-traumatic and post-traumatic factors and post-traumatic psychopatological responses in order to determine vulnerability factors for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in victims of intimate partner violence. The research was conducted on a sample of 41 female participants, aged 18-63 years, who were in the Women's Safe House in Novi Sad, domestic violence shelter, during the research. The following instruments were applied: General Information Questionnaire, Inventory of Childhood Trauma, Big Five Plus Two Personality Inventory, Violence Against Women Questionnaire, The Ways of Coping (Revised) Questionnaire, Ruminative Response Scale, The White Bear Suppression Inventory, The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and The PTSD Checklist - Civilian version. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to estimate the unique contributions of pre-traumatic, peri-traumatic and post-traumatic factors in prediction of PTSD symptoms. The research results indicate the most significant contribution of the personality dimension of Neuroticism and cognitive coping strategy - ruminative response style - in prediction of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms after exposure to intimate partner violence. The research results open a discussion about mutual influence between determined vulnerability factors.