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Structural Models of the Relations of Assault Severity, Social Support, Avoidance Coping, Self-Blame, and PTSD Among Sexual Assault Survivors

Bibliographic Data

ID12005686
AuthorsSarah E Ullman (0000-0002-9530-5389, University of Illinois Chicago, corresponding author), Stephanie M Townsend (University of Illinois Chicago), Stephanie Townsend (University of Illinois Chicago), Henrietta H Filipas (University of Illinois Chicago), Laura L Starzynski (University of Illinois Chicago)
Year2007
Volume31
Issue1
Pages23-37
Publication date2007-02-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychology of Women Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-6843 • E-ISSN: 1471-6402
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1111/j.1471-6402.2007.00328.x
OpenAlexW1972081569
LanguageEN
Citations received104
References cited64

A number of studies have identified which survivors of sexual assault are more likely to develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most correlates that have been identified have been at the individual level. Insufficient attention has been given to whether survivors' social interactions impact their individual responses to assault and subsequent levels of psychological symptomatology. In this study, a large, diverse sample of community-residing women ( N = 636) was surveyed. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between assault severity, global support, negative social reactions, avoidance coping, self-blame, traumatic life experiences, and PTSD symptoms. The results suggest that negative social reactions and avoidance coping are the strongest correlates of PTSD symptoms and that the association typically observed between victim self-blame and PTSD symptoms may be partially due to the effect of negative social reactions from others. These reactions may contribute to both self-blame and PTSD. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed

Avoidance coping · Blame · Coping (psychology · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Poison control · Posttraumatic stress · Psychiatry · Sexual assault · Social support · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works104
Citations per year5,47
Citation span2007 - 2026 (20)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 102
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