Work

Prospective Investigation of Mental Health Following Sexual Assault

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Comorbidity in psychological disorders is common following exposure to a traumatic event. Relatively little is known about the manner in which changes in the symptoms of a given type of psychological disorder in the acute period following a trauma impact changes in symptoms of another disorder. This study investigated the relationship between changes in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in the first 12 weeks following sexual assault. METHODS: Participants were 126 women who had been sexually assaulted in the previous 4 weeks. RESULTS: Lower level mediation analyses revealed that changes in PTSD symptoms had a greater impact on changes in depression and anxiety than vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: The finding highlights the role of PTSD symptoms in influencing subsequent change in other psychological symptoms. These findings are discussed in the context of models detailing the trajectory of psychological disorders following trauma, and clinical implications are considered.

Source: Depression and Anxiety

DOI: 10.1002/da.22023

Authors: Angela Nickerson, Maria Steenkamp, Idan M. Aerka, Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, Teresa L. Carper, J. Ben Barnes, Brett T. Litz

Institutions: Boston University, UNSW Sydney, Eastern Connecticut State University, University of Central Florida, Orlando VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1850236376

FWCI: 3.484

Cites: 36

Cited by: 55

Related to: 10