Self-criticism, dependency and posttraumatic stress disorder among a female group of help-seeking victims of domestic violence in Israel

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to broaden our knowledge about the association between personality characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among victims of domestic violence (VDV). Specifically, the study explored the relationship between the personality styles of self-criticism and dependency and PTSD among help-seeking women who are female victims of domestic violence in Israel. The sample comprised 91 women aged 20–60 who applied to Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Centers for treatment. They were administered questionnaires relating background variables, previous traumatic events, personality styles (self-criticism and dependency) and the intensity of PTSD. The findings suggest that the self-critical personality style was significantly associated with PTSD intensity. Furthermore, the dependency personality style was a moderating factor to the association between self-criticism and PTSD. At high levels of self-criticism, dependency had no influence on the intensity of PTSD, but at low levels of self-criticism, high levels of dependency moderated the intensity of PTSD.