Sexual Assault and Health: Understanding the Interplay of Trauma-Related Appraisals and Physical Health Outcomes
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Women who have been sexually assaulted are at risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes; however, limited research has tested how psychological responses to sexual assault may influence physical health. The present study tested a longitudinal model examining the association between posttrauma appraisals and physical health problems. Drawn from a larger study, the sample included 156 ethnically diverse women who had been sexually assaulted within the last year. The study used cross-lagged panel models to test for reciprocal relationships between posttrauma appraisals and physical health problems over time. A secondary aim of the study was to test whether other factors that have been previously linked to physical health in the context of the broader trauma literature (e.g., social support, revictimization) moderated the relationship between posttrauma appraisals and physical health problems. Women in the study reported an average of seven different physical health problems three months after the initial interview, with headaches being the most commonly reported health problem. Analyses revealed unique relationships between specific posttrauma appraisals and physical health problems. Physical health problems were predictive of women reporting greater appraisals of alienation and anger related to the sexual assault. Posttrauma appraisals did not significantly predict physical health problems, refuting the hypothesized reciprocal relationships. Revictimization moderated the relationship between physical health problems and posttrauma appraisals. Implications and areas of future research are discussed.
Author: Kerry L. Gagnon
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2897485531