101. Trauma-Related Shame, Characterological Self-Blame, and Psychological Outcomes Among Sexual Assault Survivors.
- Author
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Robinson, Melody D., Hassija, Christina M., and Wellman, Joseph D.
- Subjects
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WOUNDS & injuries , *SEX crimes , *PSYCHOLOGICAL distress , *ANXIETY , *SEVERITY of illness index , *SHAME , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *SELF-perception , *MENTAL depression - Abstract
Exposure to sexual violence is associated with deleterious mental health consequences, and survivors' perceptions of self-blame can exacerbate these difficulties. Characterological self-blame (CSB) has been associated with negative outcomes (e.g., PTSD, depression, & anxiety). However, the underlying mechanisms that account for CSB's negative impacts have not been explored despite the stigmatizing and blaming nature surrounding sexual violence. In the present study, we examined whether trauma-related shame would explain CSB's association with depression and anxiety symptom severity. A sample of 197 women who reported prior exposure to sexual assault completed measures of self-blame, trauma-related shame, and depression and anxiety symptoms. A significant association was found between CSB and depression, r(197) =.380, p <.01, and anxiety, r(197) =.256, p <.01. Trauma-related shame significantly mediated the relationship between CSB and depression (B =.07, SE =.02, 95% CI [.03,.12]), and mediated between CSB and anxiety (B =.05, SE =.02, 95% CI [.01,.09]). Trauma-related shame may be a useful treatment target for survivors of sexual assault experiencing maladaptive blame and psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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