PTSD among women survivors of domestic violence in Hawaii.

Empirical evidence suggests that between 33% and 83% of Hawaii women receiving services from programs that serve battered women meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, PTSD symptom severity is associated with depression severity, lowered self-esteem, and diminished quality of life. Combined with evidence that domestic violence often goes on for years, these findings provide additional compelling reasons why domestic violence screening should be conducted routinely in medical settings.