Document Type
Poster Presentation
Start Date
20-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
20-4-2018 11:00 AM
Keywords
assault, victim, PTSD
Biography
My name is Stephanie Spaulding. I am 21 years old. I am a senior in Marshall's Psychology undergraduate program. My interests in psychology are substance use and PTSD.
Major
Psychology
Advisor for this project
Dr. Penny Koontz
Abstract
Sexual Assault and PTSD
This literature review examines the relationship between sexual assault and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sexual assault has become more recognized in today’s society due to the recent #MeToo movement. Factors associated with sexual assault such as victimization, revictimization, victim blaming, race, sexual preference, and negative social reactions will all be examined to see how these affect those who were sexually assaulted; specifically, whether they are associated with the development of PTSD. I expect to find that the more victimization, negative comments, and lack of social support the victim receives, the more likely that individual is to develop PTSD and is likely to struggle with those symptoms for a longer period of time. Solution-oriented therapy could be implemented to help change behaviors as needed, to change the way they think and interact with the problems. Implications include paying more attention to: repeated sexual victimization, cortisol levels, trust, and sexual minority status. The implications of this research include: providing better coping strategies, providing education to the survivors as well as the general public on sexual assault, identifying which populations are not receiving adequate treatment, targeting the expected reactions, examining the role of gender, focusing on the short and long-term barriers, and acknowledging there are resources for recovery. Further research should look at longitudinal studies of survivors to see the more long-term effects of the sexual assault and PTSD that results.
Sexual Assault and PTSD
Sexual Assault and PTSD
This literature review examines the relationship between sexual assault and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sexual assault has become more recognized in today’s society due to the recent #MeToo movement. Factors associated with sexual assault such as victimization, revictimization, victim blaming, race, sexual preference, and negative social reactions will all be examined to see how these affect those who were sexually assaulted; specifically, whether they are associated with the development of PTSD. I expect to find that the more victimization, negative comments, and lack of social support the victim receives, the more likely that individual is to develop PTSD and is likely to struggle with those symptoms for a longer period of time. Solution-oriented therapy could be implemented to help change behaviors as needed, to change the way they think and interact with the problems. Implications include paying more attention to: repeated sexual victimization, cortisol levels, trust, and sexual minority status. The implications of this research include: providing better coping strategies, providing education to the survivors as well as the general public on sexual assault, identifying which populations are not receiving adequate treatment, targeting the expected reactions, examining the role of gender, focusing on the short and long-term barriers, and acknowledging there are resources for recovery. Further research should look at longitudinal studies of survivors to see the more long-term effects of the sexual assault and PTSD that results.
