Instances of interpersonal trauma are prevalent in the lives of low-income women. It has been suggested that low-income women who have been exposed to interpersonal trauma experience various significant mental and physical health issues.

The Impact of Interpersonal Trauma on Low-Income Women

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition where an individual experiences a collection of persistent symptoms following a traumatic or profoundly stressful event, such as combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. For a diagnosis, these symptoms must last for at least one month. The traumatic event can be witnessed firsthand or secondhand. Historically, PTSD was referred to by terms like 'shell shock' and 'combat neurosis' due to its frequent association with war, but it is now recognized as affecting a wider population.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Military sexual trauma (MST) is defined as sexual harassment and/or assault occurring during active duty or other military training.

Military Sexual Trauma

Childhood trauma occurs between ages 0-18, and can be any life-threatening, scary, or violent event that occurs in their life. 

Childhood Trauma

Interpersonal trauma is a type of trauma that occurs in one’s relationships with other individuals. Events that can cause interpersonal trauma include physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, etc. 

San Jose State University

Chapman University

Past studies have explored how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can improve health and trauma-related symptoms, including stress, anxiety, and depression, in trauma-exposed women.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Trauma-Exposed Women

Abuse is when an individual intentionally torments another individual either physically or emotionally. This can make one more vulnerable to depression later on. 

Abuse

Gallegos, A. M., Lytle, M. C., Moynihan, J. A., & Talbot, N. L. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction to enhance psychological functioning and improve inflammatory biomarkers in trauma-exposed women: A pilot study. Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice and policy, 7(6), 525–532. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000053

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to Enhance Psychological Functioning and Improve Inflammatory Biomarkers in Trauma-Exposed Women

What is interpersonal trauma. Women's Health Matters. (n.d.). https://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/health-centres/mental-health/trauma/what-is-interpersonal-trauma/. 

What Is Interpersonal Trauma

Interpersonal Trauma

Inflammatory Cytokines are proteins produced by the immune system that induce inflammation. They play a critical role in regulating the body to defend against pathogens.

Inflammatory Cytokines

Dysregulation is defined as a poor ability to regulate one’s own emotional reactions. People experiencing emotional dysregulation can show exaggerated emotional responses to stimuli.

Emotional Dysregulation

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Types of Abuse

In infancy, damage includes mental retardation, hearing difficulties, visual problems, learning disabilities, and cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to abuse at any point in life, however, negatively correlates with gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, sensory association cortices and cerebellum.

Effects of Abuse on Brain Structure

- Toddler Age 
- Preschool Age
- Primary School Age
- Adolescence

Abuse Effects on Behavioral Development

- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Common Mental Disorders Following Abuse

- Psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Psychotropic medications

Combination psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacotherapy is the most effective treatment strategy.

Treatment Options for Abuse Victims

During childhood, individual is exposed to neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that leaves them vulnerable to developmental problems into adulthood

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