Increased Cortisol in Women With Intimate Partner Violence‐Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a chronic and recurrent traumatic stressor associated with PTSD; however, its biological correlates are not well understood. This study examined diurnal salivary cortisol and platelet catecholamines in women with lifetime IPV-related PTSD and in women exposed to IPV who did not develop PTSD. Cortisol was elevated in women with lifetime PTSD compared to controls. No differences were found for platelet catecholamines.