Does sexual orientation moderate the relationship between posttraumatic cognitions and mental health outcomes following sexual assault?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Individuals who identify as sexual minorities experience higher rates of traumatic events and higher rates of psychological distress than individuals who identify as heterosexual. The purpose of the current study was to examine if sexual orientation moderates the relationship between posttraumatic cognitions and psychological outcomes following sexual assault. College students (n = 393) who experienced a sexual assault since the age of 14 completed an online survey that included measures of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression symptoms, and posttraumatic cognitions. Individuals who identified as a sexual minority reported higher levels of self-esteem and other-intimacy posttraumatic cognitions than heterosexual individuals. Moderation analyses revealed that all assessed types of posttraumatic cognitions were positively associated with both PTSS and depression symptoms. The interaction was only significant in one model; specifically, the effect of other-control posttraumatic cognitions on PTSS was stronger among individuals who identified as LGBQ. These results indicate that posttraumatic cognitions play an important role in negative psychological outcomes following sexual trauma, regardless of sexual orientation. It may be particularly important to address self-esteem and other-intimacy cognitions among individuals who identify as sexual minorities who present for treatment following a sexual assault.