The relationship between perceived social support and post-traumatic stress disorder in Jordanian women experiencing intimate partner violence

BACKGROUND: Previous studies agreed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pervasive consequence affecting women who were exposed to intimate partner violence. Low levels of perceived social support could be associated with PTSD. This study aimed to investigate the association between social support provided to women exposed to intimate partner violence and PTSD. METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used to recruit women exposed to intimate partner violence residing in Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to recruit 166 women. They had to answer the participant’s socio-characteristics sheet, the Arabic version of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (AVMSPSS), and the Arabic version of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (APLC-5). RESULTS: Results showed that there is a significant positive moderate association between the frequency of intimate partner violence and general symptoms of PTSD, r = 0.41 and p < 0.001. Also, results showed a significant negative moderate association between the frequency of intimate partner violence and total perceived social support, r = -0.36 and p < 0.001. General symptoms of PTSD had a significant negative moderate association with perceived social support, r = -0.38 and p < 0.001. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The results of the study suggest that higher levels of perceived social support may be associated with lower severity of PTSD symptoms and reduced frequency of intimate partner violence. Efforts to enhance perceived social support—for example, by encouraging family involvement in promoting mutual respect in relationships and gender equity—could be considered as part of broader interventions. However, further research is needed to determine the most effective strategies.