Sexual assault-characteristics effects on PTSD and psychosocial mediators: a cluster-analysis approach to sexual assault types

Psychological Trauma : Theory, Research, Practice and Policy
Liana Peter-Hagene, Sarah E Ullman

Abstract

Using cluster analysis, we investigated the effects of assault characteristics (i.e., level of violence, subjective distress, alcohol consumption, perpetrator identity) on PTSD symptoms, and whether these effects are mediated by postassault social and psychological reactions. A large community sample of women sexual assault survivors completed 2 mail surveys at a 1-year interval. In line with prior research, cluster analyses revealed the existence of 3 general categories of sexual assault, which we described as "high violence," "alcohol-related," and "moderate sexual severity." Alcohol-related assaults resulted in fewer PTSD symptoms than high-violence assaults at Time 1, but not at Time 2. Alcohol-related and violent assaults resulted in more PTSD symptoms than moderate-severity assaults at both times. The effect of assault-characteristics clusters on Time 2 PTSD was mediated by Time 1 self-blame and turning against social reactions. The importance of considering effects of violence and alcohol consumption during the assault to better understand postassault PTSD, including implications for theory and practice, are discussed.

Citations

Nov 22, 2015·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Jessica A Blayney, Jennifer P Read
Mar 10, 2016·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Liana C Peter-Hagene, Sarah E Ullman
Aug 3, 2018·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Sara G Kern, Zoë D Peterson
Oct 9, 2019·Journal of Sex Research·Sara G Kern, Zoë D Peterson
Oct 2, 2020·Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic·Sarah C JessupJonathan S Abramowitz
Jan 4, 2020·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Vanessa TironePhilip Held
Feb 28, 2017·Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma·Katherine Lorenz, Sarah E Ullman
Jan 1, 2020·Psychology of Women Quarterly·Anna E JaffeAmanda K Gilmore
Jan 23, 2021·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Saskia B J KochKarin Roelofs

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