Trauma-Related Shame, Characterological Self-Blame, and Psychological Outcomes Among Sexual Assault Survivors

Abstract

Exposure to sexual violence is associated with deleterious mental health consequences, and survivors’ perceptions of self-blame can exacerbate these difficulties. Characterological self-blame (CSB) has been associated with negative outcomes (e.g., PTSD, depression, & anxiety). However, the underlying mechanisms that account for CSB’s negative impacts have not been explored despite the stigmatizing and blaming nature surrounding sexual violence. In the present study, we examined whether trauma-related shame would explain CSB’s association with depression and anxiety symptom severity. A sample of 197 women who reported prior exposure to sexual assault completed measures of self-blame, trauma-related shame, and depression and anxiety symptoms. A significant association was found between CSB and depression, r(197) = .380, p < .01, and anxiety, r(197) = .256, p < .01. Trauma-related shame significantly mediated the relationship between CSB and depression (B = .07, SE = .02, 95% CI [.03, .12]), and mediated between CSB and anxiety (B = .05, SE = .02, 95% CI [.01, .09]). Trauma-related shame may be a useful treatment target for survivors of sexual assault experiencing maladaptive blame and psychological distress.