Sexual assault is a major public health crisis, with national epidemiological studies reporting that approximately one-in-five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Experiential and empirical data indicate that sexual assault causes significant distress for those who experience it, with approximately one-third of sexual assault survivors evidencing lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recent years, there have been increasing calls to expand recognition of PTSD beyond its binary framing and to incorporate contextual variables into the study of PTSD so that understandings of posttraumatic stress are more fully situated within the context of trauma survivors' lives. The current study responds to these stated needs. This study utilized two waves of a longitudinal data set in which sexual assault survivors were surveyed annually about their posttraumatic stress symptoms and social support. Using this data, I conducted a latent transition analysis (LTA) to identify latent classes of posttraumatic stress experiences and model the probability of transitioning between latent classes over time. With the goal of highlighting existing strengths in survivors' communities and better understanding optimal utilization of those resources, I also incorporated structural and functional social support as predictors of class membership and class transition. Four latent classes emerged at each time point and were named the High Severity, Depressed & Anxious, Avoidant & Reactive, and Low Severity classes. These classes demonstrated both quantitative (i.e., overall severity) and qualitative (i.e., symptom cluster severity) differences. Transition probabilities illustrated a general pattern of de-escalation. As would be expected, de-escalation was more likely when both types of social support were high compared to when both types of social support were low. Notable differences between the latent classes emerged, however, when one type of social support was high and the other was low. Specifically, while participants assigned to the High Severity class at Time 1 were more likely to de-escalate when structural support was high and functional support was low than the reverse, the opposite pattern was true for participants assigned to the Depressed & Anxious class. The intermediate classes identified in this latent class analysis highlight the limitations of categorical understandings of posttraumatic stress in which one either "has" or "does not have" PTSD. These findings support the calls that have been made by researchers and clinicians to introduce a "subclinical" level of PTSD to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, while also encouraging nuance beyond what even a subclinical designation would provide. Specifically, while a subclinical designation would reflect some amount of quantitative variation between the latent classes, it would be unlikely to reflect the qualitative differences found in the current study. These qualitative differences were especially relevant to understanding the longitudinal relationship between posttraumatic stress and social support, with functional support appearing to be especially relevant to those in the High Severity class and structural support especially relevant to those in the Depressed & Anxious class. The findings indicate that sexual assault survivors' social support needs may vary based on the specific symptoms that define their experience of posttraumatic stress at a given point in time. These findings also provide guidance for clinical and non-clinical practitioners regarding how to help survivors engage their support networks most effectively in the aftermath of trauma.

This powerful client workbook is written in an encouraging and easy-to-understand style specifically for women who have been sexually assaulted and have developed chronic symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clients learn how cognitive-behavioral therapy has helped other victims and how it can work for them. This book explains how to distinguish PTSD symptoms from other disorders and teaches powerful techniques for overcoming these symptoms. In writing this book, the authors aim to address two goals. First, they want to present information about PTSD and related problems in language understandable to nonprofessionals. This information will include a review of the studies on posttrauma problems and on the effectiveness of different treatments. They also describe why some survivors develop PTSD and others do not. The second goal of the book is to provide a detailed client workbook for the treatment of trauma-related problems, especially PTSD, to assist clients working with a therapist. The authors are aware of the fact that people have different problems and different needs. What works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, they describe several different treatment techniques. The book is organized around the different cognitive-behavioral techniques that have been studied and proven effective with women sufferers of PTSD following an assault. Throughout the book, the authors focus mainly on women who have been sexually assaulted and as a result developed chronic symptoms of PTSD, which have disturbed their daily functioning and cause them emotional distress. Most of the examples they use to demonstrate the cognitive-behavioral techniques are drawn from their experience in treating rape survivors. However, the cognitive-behavioral procedures outlined here have been as successful in helping women who have been sexually abused in childhood and adult female survivors of nonsexual assaults, like aggravated assault and robbery. Other survivors of traumas such as natural disasters and car accidents were also helped by this cognitive-behavioral approach.

The psycho-social needs of victims of rape and sexual assault are increasingly recognised and there is a need for a critical synthesis of knowledge and practice to support the development of training and best practice in the mental health and sexual health professions. The Trauma of Sexual Assault provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinning of the wide range of clinical problems that can follow sexual assault. Focusing on adult victims of sexual assault, this book brings together research findings, theoretical perspectives and implications for treatment, longer term management, and future policy. * The first text to consider the psychological impact of sexual assault on women and men * Incorporates a comprehensive flow-through model of psychological and social management from the initial presentation of the assaulted person onwards * A much needed reference, accessible to a wide range of professionals Part of the Wiley Series in Clinical Psychology

The first systematic analysis of the rates, risk factors, consequences and global burden of trauma and PTSD across the globe.

Victims of sexual assault experience their trauma in different ways, and often one path to recovery and healing is right for one person, but not right for another. While there are some general mental health effects of sexual violence, this book outlines and describes the impact of particular types of sexual violation. Whether the survivor has experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault during adulthood, marital rape, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, or sexual violence within the military, they will find aspects of her experience in these pages. Once survivors understand the ways in which they have been affected, they are introduced to various pathways to surviving sexual violence and moving forward. The chapters provide case examples and specific activities which give a fuller description of the ways survivors can make use of the particular approaches, which include mind-body practices, counseling, group therapies, self-defense training, and others. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence, or knows and cares about someone who has, will find relief in these pages, which offer practical approaches to finding balance and healing.

This study investigated links between sexual assault experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and adverse physical health outcomes among adult women. Existing models in which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and physical health outcomes have been established within a variety of trauma populations, but had yet to be specifically tested with the trauma of sexual assault. Through the use of structural equation modelling (SENT), support was found for a model in which posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity partially mediates the association between sexual assault exposure and physical health problems. While PTSS severity served as a partial mediator, it was revealed that depression symptoms did not A multivariate multiple regression was conducted to test whether the three PTSD symptom clusters (i.e., reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms) were differentially related to physical health outcomes, but it was found that no single symptom cluster explained the association between PTSD and adverse physical health outcomes. It was revealed, however. that reexperiencing symptoms and avoidance symptoms had unique associations with health care utilization and health perceptions, respectively. Finally. A unique relationship between sexual assault exposure and reproductive and sexual health problems was revealed, suggesting that this is a particularly important area of health concern among sexual assault survivors.

Sexual assault is a traumatic event from which many survivors never fully recover. They may develop a range of disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties and sexual dysfunction. This volume provides insight into the effects of rape and explores a treatment approach that assists in the healing process.