(PS10-12) Endocrine Dysregulation among Women Currently Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence with and without PTSD

Abstract Text: IPV is a pervasive public health concern, with 42%, 20%, and 49% of women reporting physical, sexual, and psychological IPV, respectively, in their lifetime (Smith et al., 2018). Stress-related endocrine dysregulation has been documented among women experiencing IPV (Yim & Kofman, 2019). This study examined concordance between IPV severity and hair cortisol, a biological marker of cumulative stress (Russell et al., 2012). Given evidence that PTSD may exacerbate endocrine dysregulation (Pitman et al., 2012), we also explored the moderating role of PTSD. Participants were 92 community women experiencing IPV (Mage=41.01, 55.4% white). Participants were interviewed with the CAPS-5 (Weathers et al., 2013) to assess PTSD, reported on IPV thrice daily for the next 30 days via ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and subsequently provided a hair sample for cortisol analysis. Participants reported an average of 10, 6, and 20 (out of 30) days of physical, sexual, and psychological IPV, respectively. Days of psychological (r=.21, p=.04) IPV were significantly associated with hair cortisol. Days of physical and psychological IPV were more strongly associated with hair cortisol among women with versus without PTSD (Bs>2.01; ps <.05). Our findings suggest that women who experience more days of IPV exhibit more endocrine dysregulation, especially when they have PTSD.