Correlates of battered women's psychological distress: severity of abuse and duration of the postabuse period.

Although psychological disturbances among abused women are well documented, it is unclear whether such disturbances are a reaction to the abusive experience. The present study hypothesized that, if the disturbances are a reactive state, the severity of disturbance would be related to the time since the relationship ended as well as the severity of the psychological and physical abuse experienced. Participants were 50 abused women who completed valid MMPI-2s and revised Conflict Tactic Scales. The results indicated that MMPI-2 scores were significantly correlated with both types of abuse but not with duration of time since the abusive relationship was terminated. The MMPI-2 profiles of abused women and suggestions for research are discussed.