Results indicate that LH may increase the risk of PTSD and MDD in battered women. Having lived in a male-dominated environment contributed to the formation of LH. Other findings pointed to high levels of PTSD and MDD in battered women, with a significant co-occurrence of the two disorders. Statistically significant correlations were also found between violence severity and PTSD. Sexual violence was the strongest predictor of both PTSD and MDD. The findings suggest that negative early cultural and educational influences seem to negatively impact reactions of abusive relationships later in life and may diminish resilience in battered women. The results underscore the importance of intervention efforts designed to prevent and reduce LH among battered women. Future research should examine the factors that cause and prevent the development of LH in prolonged trauma victims. Participants were 101 battered women recruited over an 18-month period from 8 Israeli battered women’s shelters. Participants completed a series of interviews that measured mental disorders, PTSD, depression, LH, demographic and background characteristics, trauma history, and exposure to violence. Data were analyzed using a path analysis model and hierarchical logistic regression models. Tables, figure, references