The role of stigmatization in developing post-traumatic symptoms after experiencing child sexual abuse by a female perpetrator
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The role of stigmatization in developing post-traumatic symptoms after experiencing child sexual abuse by a female perpetrator. / Schröder, Johanna; Kratzer, Leonhard; Yamak, Yasemin; Briken, Peer; Tozdan, Safiye.
in: EUR J PSYCHOTRAUMATO, Jahrgang 12, Nr. 1, 1966982, 22.09.2021, S. 1966982.Publikationen: SCORING: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift/Zeitung › SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz › Forschung › Begutachtung
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T1 - The role of stigmatization in developing post-traumatic symptoms after experiencing child sexual abuse by a female perpetrator
AU - Schröder, Johanna
AU - Kratzer, Leonhard
AU - Yamak, Yasemin
AU - Briken, Peer
AU - Tozdan, Safiye
PY - 2021/9/22
Y1 - 2021/9/22
N2 - 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.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.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.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.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.
AB - 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.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.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.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.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.
UR - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2021.1966982
U2 - 10.1080/20008198.2021.1966982
DO - 10.1080/20008198.2021.1966982
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
VL - 12
SP - 1966982
JO - EUR J PSYCHOTRAUMATO
JF - EUR J PSYCHOTRAUMATO
SN - 2000-8198
IS - 1
M1 - 1966982
ER -