Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore differences in posttraumatic cognitions (PTCs) among female college students with a history of sexual victimization (n = 794) who reported no bystander presence (no bystander), bystander presence without intervention (bystander inaction), and bystander intervention (bystander action) during the event. Analyses of variance indicated significant differences in PTC for self-blame and negative thoughts about the self. The bystander inaction group reported greater levels of self-blame compared to both groups and negative cognitions about self than the bystander intervention group. Implications for bystander intervention programming and trauma-focused treatment to prevent and address harmful posttraumatic cognitions are discussed.
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