@article{ref1,
title="The role of stigmatization in developing post-traumatic symptoms after experiencing child sexual abuse by a female perpetrator",
journal="European journal of psychotraumatology",
year="2021",
author="Schröder, Johanna and Kratzer, Leonhard and Yamak, Yasemin and Briken, Peer and Tozdan, Safiye",
volume="12",
number="1",
pages="e1966982-e1966982",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The context in which individuals are exposed to child sexual abuse (CSA) and reactions to the disclosure of such abuse experiences play a major role in post-traumatic mental health. Female-perpetrated CSA is an under-recognized issue in society and mental health care, and is therefore supposed to be a breeding ground for stigmatization. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to examine the mediating role of internalized and anticipated stigma on the effects of so-called victim-blaming experiences and the perception of abuse in the childhood of survivors of female-perpetrated CSA on their post-traumatic symptom severity. <br><br>METHOD: A total of 212 individuals who reported experiences of female-perpetrated CSA were assessed in an anonymous online survey. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) served as the primary outcome parameter for detecting differences in post-traumatic symptom severity within mediation analyses, where victim-blaming and abuse awareness served as predictors and anticipated as well as internalized stigma served as mediator variables. <br><br>RESULTS: Internalized stigma fully mediated the deteriorating effect of victim-blaming on post-traumatic symptom severity, while abuse awareness and anticipated stigma showed no statistically significant effects as predictor and mediator variables. Yet, victim-blaming had a significant increasing effect on anticipated stigma. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to enhance awareness of female-perpetrated CSA in society are needed and mental health care professionals should pay attention to the adverse effects of victim-blaming and internalized stigma on post-traumatic symptoms in individuals affected by female-perpetrated CSA.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2000-8198",
doi="10.1080/20008198.2021.1966982",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1966982"
}