ICD-11 Complex PTSD Factors as Mediators in the Association between Exposure to Traumatic Events in Childhood and Intimate Partner Violence by Men

Males who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) experience more traumatic events – especially child abuse and neglect, and consequently more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and problems in self organization – than a community sample. Prolonged interpersonal violence was suggested as a risk factor for the proposed ICD-11 Complex-PTSD diagnosis, especially the DSO (disturbances in self- organization) symptoms. Nevertheless, CPTSD as a mediator, especially in the association between exposure to violence, neglect, and IPV, has not been studied. We examined the possible mediator paths of PTSD and DSO from childhood exposure to violence and neglect and IPV by men. Participants were 234 men drawn randomly from a national sample of 2,600 men receiving treatment for domestic violence in Israel. They completed the new ICD 11 International Trauma Questionnaire, the Conflict Tactics Scale for IPV, and the life events questionnaire. Findings revealed that the association between violence in childhood and psychological IPV was mediated by DSO and not by PTSD. However, childhood violence exposure was associated indirectly with psychological IPV through its linkage with stressful life events, then PTSD, and then DSO. These findings add to the discussion regarding the ICD-11 CPTSD diagnosis, and shed light on the consequences of child abuse and neglect on male IPV