Negative Social Reactions to Assault Disclosure as a Mediator between Self-Blame and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Survivors of Interpersonal Assault

Abstract

The type of causal attributions offered for traumatic life events has been documented as a potential vulnerability factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few investigations have sought to identify the mechanisms by which such explanations are associated with greater posttraumatic distress. One possible factor that may account for the relationship between maladaptive attributional tendencies and PTSD symptoms is the quality of social reactions received from one’s social network upon disclosure. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between self-blaming attributions provided for traumatic events, negative social reactions, and PTSD symptom severity. Undergraduate psychology students (N = 68), who reported previously experiencing interpersonal assault, completed measures assessing their attributions for their assault and the quality of reactions received from members of their social network upon disclosure. Results from a statistical mediational analysis suggest that a self-blame may be associated with poorer psychological adjustment by virtue of negative social reactions. Results of this study further our understanding of risk and resilience among assault survivors and may have significant implications for treatment interventions for individuals with PTSD.