Examining the Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Related to Intimate Partner Violence on Antenatal,Intrapartum and Postpartum Women: A Scoping Review

We undertook a comprehensive scoping review of published academic articles to examine the extent, range and nature of research related to the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among childbearing women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Fifty-five sources were identified from the electronic databases and two additional sources were identified after searching reference lists. Among the 57 articles, five met the inclusion criteria of childbearing women who have experienced IPV and PTSD. Numerical analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity among articles, with various aims, methodological approaches, patient populations and outcomes of interest. Inductive thematic content analysis revealed three themes: (1) context; (2) outcomes; and (3) changes in practice. The findings from this first attempt at summarizing literature via a scoping review demonstrate the need for additional research related to: identification of, treatment interventions for, and understanding the mechanisms of impact for IPV related PTSD among childbearing women.     

Initial emotional response to childhood sexual abuse: Emotion profiles of victims and relationship to later adjustment

A sample of 137 college women's retrospective reports of childhood sexual abuse were examined in order to identify the emotional responses these victims experienced at the time of abuse and to investigate the relationship between these responses and the long-term effects of abuse. Results identified three important dimensions of responding including guilt/fear, anger/disgust, and positive emotions. Further, five groups of victims displaying unique emotion profiles were identified. These include: (a) guilty/fearful individuals, (b) low responders, (c) angry/disgusted individuals, (d) ambivalent individuals, and (e) positive individuals. It was determined that victims' responses to abuse were associated with abuse severity. Finally, victim's affective responses to abuse were related to subsequent adjustment. Individuals experiencing high levels of guilt/fear were identified as exhibiting poorer social adjustment than either individuals reporting primarily anger or disgust or individuals reporting low levels of all emotions. Possible mechanisms through which these experiences have their effects are discussed.     

The art of the unsettlement

The best litigation lawyer, it is often said, is not the onewhose rapier-like wit demolishes the foe in court but the onewho knows how to negotiate. Having demonstrated that your clienthas the upper hand, why grind remorselessly through the mechanismsof the court when you can press your advantage home by sellingthe losing party a settlement agreement? There is so much to be said in favour of settlement. The losing