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Longitudinal Investigation of Stigma and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Women Exposed to Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Current studies suggest relationships between sexual violence, stigma, and psychosocial functioning but cannot disentangle temporal relationships. We used longitudinal data from the Democratic Republic of Congo to fit models estimating whether stigma predicted the long-term psychosocial well-being of sexual-violence-exposed women who participated in a cognitive processing therapy trial. We found that felt stigma predicted depression and anxiety (β = 0.66, p = .005), traumatic stress (β = 0.54, p = .025), and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV; OR = 2.68, p = .044), but not other social (e.g., group membership) or violence-related (e.g., physical IPV) experiences. The results highlight the need for interventions that integrate stigma reduction alongside psychological care.

Source: Violence Against Women

DOI: 10.1177/10778012251338488

Authors: Christine Bourey, Judith K. Bass, Debra Kaysen, Daniel Lakin, Amani Matabaro, Sarah M. Murray

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Pacific Clinics

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Security, and Conflict

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health