Citation

Decou CR, Kaplan SP, Spencer J, Lynch SM. Crisis 2019; 40(2): 134-140.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000549

PMID

30311800

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study evaluated trauma-related shame as a mediator of the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness.

METHOD: A total of 164 female undergraduates who reported attempted or completed sexual assault completed self-report measures of sexual assault, trauma-related shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness.

RESULTS: Using path analysis, trauma-related shame mediated the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness, and between sexual assault severity and thwarted belongingness. LIMITATIONS: The findings of this study are limited by the retrospective, self-report, and cross-sectional nature of these data, and do not allow for causal inference.

CONCLUSION: Trauma-related shame warrants additional investigation as a mechanism that explains the association between sexual assault and psychosocial risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

perceived burdensomeness; sexual assault; thwarted belongingness; trauma-related shame; undergraduates