Psychological Maltreatment and its Relationship with Negative Affect in Men and Women

ABSTRACT The current study examined whether psychologically maltreated adults experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)–related symptoms. Gender differences in levels of depression, anxiety, and anger among individuals who were psychologically maltreated were also investigated. One hundred fifty-five individuals who were either psychologically maltreated or nonabused during their lifetime participated in the study. Results indicated psychologically maltreated adults had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptomatology, depression, anxiety, and anger than their nonabused counterparts. Differences between psychologically maltreated men and women in levels of PTSD symptomatology, depression, anxiety, and anger were not significant. Significant positive correlations were found between measures of posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and anger.