Negative Coping Strategies Research Articles

Addressing food insecurity in Richmond area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: The role of cash transfers

Food insecurity is one of the national priorities in South Africa. Cash transfer programs are hypothesized to alleviate short-term deprivations, regularize consumption, and reduce the adoption of negative coping strategies. This study estimates the role play of cash transfers in enhancing food security in South Africa. The household food security access scale (HFIAS) was used to estimate food security status of 180 sampled households. An endogenous switching poisson model was used to examine how household food insecurity was affected by access to cash transfers. The findings indicate that the household food security was statistically significantly influenced by access to cash transfers, household head gender, access to finance, access to farm-based organizations (FBO), access to cooperatives, and agricultural training. As a result, this study recommends the South African government and other donor organizations to expand cash transfer programs among low-income households in rural South Africa. Access to cash transfers is a key component of achieving enhanced household food security.

Availability of Social Support, Coping Strategies, Student Stressors and Wellness Among Older Women Studying Online During the Pandemic

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between older women’s subjective perceptions of available social support, their coping strategies, self-reported wellness, and stressors experienced as online students studying during the pandemic. Method: A convenience sample of 115 older adult women learners (Mean age = 40.88, <em>SD</em> = 11.27) studying online in March 2021 in one of the world’s largest providers of higher-education distance-learning courses was gathered using a survey methodology. Results: Using structural equation modelling, we showed that perceptions of social support were associated with a higher use of positive coping and a lower use of negative coping strategies, ultimately improving markers of wellness and reducing student stressors. Conclusions: The results indicate that those who perceived that social support from significant others would be available upon request utilised more adaptive coping strategies to deal with study-related adversities during the COVID pandemic. Implications: The study highlighted the importance of embracing older students’ own capacity to cope with adversity and emphasizing that one-to-one support can be available if needed.

LGBTIQ CALD People's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Literature Review.

Experience of surviving intimate partner violence (IPV) is well documented in research, policing practices, newspapers, and awareness campaigns domestically and internationally. Arguably, those who have survived IPV and have their experiences reflected within society undergo a transformative experience of empowerment. As society recognises and validates their experience has occurred, and responds to it, accordingly, as some survivors have targeted services and interventions to assist in this transformation. However, for LGBTIQ-identifying peoples, experiences of IPV are poorly understood in contemporary society, which is further exacerbated for LGBTIQ-identifying CALD people as they continue to remain hidden. The systematic literature review aims to explore the experiences of this group in their development of resilience following an abusive and violent relationship. Of the potential 230 identified studies, 5 studies met the eligibility criteria. In line with the eligibility criteria, these studies were first reviewed by title, then by abstract and then by full text. Of those studies which the research team deemed relevant for inclusion, their reference lists where also reviewed to determine if any further relevant studies could be identified using this strategy. As a result of the above process, five (5) studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. From data extraction, three major themes emerged: Intimate Partner Violence as Experienced by LGBTIQ survivors, Marginalised Identity and Types of Survivorship. While refined, these themes capture a more robust set of sub-themes that identify the diverse ways in which LGBTIQ survivors experience responses to their victimised status as experienced in IPV situations. Overall, the review found that resilient outcomes for LGBTIQ CALD survivors remain misunderstood and missing within the literature. There is a propensity to focus on negative coping strategies and an exclusive focus on LGBTIQ CALD vulnerabilities. Future research requires investigation into strategies and support that move beyond coping to include resilient outcomes and support systems that allow manifestations of resilience.

From acute stress to persistent post-concussion symptoms: The role of parental accommodation and child’s coping strategies

Background: Acute stress following mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is highly prevalent and associated with Persistent Post-Concussion symptoms (PPCS). However, the mechanism mediating this relationship is understudied. Objective: To examine whether parental accommodation (i.e. parents’ attempts to adjust the environment to the child’s difficulties) and child’s coping strategies mediate the association between acute stress and PPCS in children following mTBI. Method: Participants were 58 children aged 8–16 who sustained a mTBI and their parents. Children’s acute stress (one-week post-injury) and coping strategies (three weeks post-injury), and parental accommodation (three weeks and four months post-injury) were assessed. Outcome measures included PPCS (four months post-injury) and neuropsychological tests of cognitive functioning (attention and memory). A baseline for PPCS was obtained by a retrospective report of pre-injury symptoms immediately after the injury. Results: Children’s acute stress and negative coping strategies (escape-oriented coping strategies) and four-months parental accommodation were significantly related to PPCS. Acute stress predicted PPCS and attention and memory performance. Parental accommodation significantly mediated the association between acute stress and PPCS. Conclusions: Stress plays an important role in children’s recovery from mTBI and PPCS. Parental accommodation mediates this relationship, and thus, clinical attention to parental reactions during recovery is needed.

Comparing Psychological Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life between Professional Groups within Health and Social Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK

This paper shared the compared results on the psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life amongst health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Health and social care professionals within nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, social care and social work occupations working in the United Kingdom (UK) during the pandemic were recruited. Repeated cross-sectional online surveys were conducted during two time periods of the pandemic (May–July 2020 and May−July 2021). A total of 4803 respondents completed the survey. The findings revealed that over the pandemic, psychological wellbeing (SWEWBS measure) and work-related quality of life (WRQoL scale) scores significantly decreased in all five occupations (p < 0.001) with midwives having the lowest scores on both scales at all time points. Respondents were found to significantly (p < 0.001) use of negative coping strategies such as behavioural disengagement and substance usage. Analysis of variance revealed a statistical difference between occupations and wellbeing across 2020 and 2021, while work-related quality of life was only statistically significantly different in 2021. The findings revealed that due to this decrease, there is a distinct need for more support services and flexible working conditions within health and social care services, to improve wellbeing and work-related quality of life.

Patterns of the physical, cognitive, and mental health status of older individuals in a real-life primary care setting and differences in coping styles.

Physical frailty and cognitive decline are two major consequences of aging and are often in older individuals, especially in those with multimorbidity. These two disorders are known to usually coexist with each other, increasing the risk of each disorder for poor health outcomes. Mental health disorders, anxiety and depression, are common in older people with multimorbidity, in particular those with functional or sensory deficits, and frailty. The aim of this study was to show how physical frailty, cognitive impairments and mental disorders, cluster in the real life setting of older primary care (PC) patients, and how these clusters relate to age, comorbidities, stressful events, and coping strategies. Knowing that, could improve risk stratification of older individuals and guide the action plans. Participants were older individuals (≥60, N = 263), attenders of PC, independent of care of others, and not suffering from dementia. For screening participants on physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and mental disorders, we used Fried's phenotype model, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). For testing participants on coping styles, we used the 14-scale Brief-Coping with Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) questionnaire. To identify clusters, we used the algorithm fuzzy k-means. To further describe the clusters, we examined differences in age, gender, number of chronic diseases and medications prescribed, some diagnoses of chronic diseases, the number of life events, body mass index, renal function, expressed as the glomerular filtration rate, and coping styles. The most appropriate cluster solution was the one with three clusters, that were termed as: functional (FUN; N = 139), with predominant frailty or dysfunctional (DFUN; N = 81), and with predominant cognitive impairments or cognitively impaired (COG-IMP; N = 43). Participants in two pathologic clusters, DFUN and COG-IMP, were in average older and had more somatic diseases, compared to participants in cluster FUN. Significant differences between the clusters were found in diagnoses of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, anxiety/depression, cerebrovascular disease, and periphery artery disease. Participants in cluster FUN expressed mostly positive reframing coping style. Participants in two pathological clusters were represented with negative coping strategies. Religion and self-blame were coping mechanisms specific only for cluster DFUN; self-distraction only for cluster COG-IMP; and these two latter clusters shared the mechanisms of behavioral disengagement and denial. The research approach presented in this study may help PC providers in risk stratification of older individuals and in getting insights into behavioral and coping strategies of patients with similar comorbidity patterns and functional disorders, which may guide them in preparing prevention and care plans. By providing some insights into the common mechanisms and pathways of clustering frailty, cognitive impairments and mental disorders, this research approach is useful for creating new hypotheses and in accelerating geriatric research.

Context, coping, and mental health in refugees living in protracted displacement.

There is currently an unprecedented number of forcibly displaced people worldwide. Little is known, however, about how external stressors and internal coping strategies intersect to influence mental health in displaced refugees, particularly whether specific types of coping strategies are more or less effective across different levels of external stress. This study aimed to understand whether positive and negative internal coping strategies were differentially associated with mental health across high and low levels of external stressors in displaced refugees. Participants were 1,216 refugees living in Indonesia who completed an online survey indexing demographic characteristics, exposure to ongoing stressors, positive psychological coping strategies (i.e., cognitive flexibility, self-efficacy, and hope), negative psychological coping strategies (i.e., rumination and intolerance of uncertainty), psychological symptoms (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety) and mental health-related quality of life. Participants (27.3% female, Mage = 30.52 years) were from Arabic-, Farsi-, Tamil-, Somali-, Dari-, and English-speaking backgrounds. Results of latent moderated structural equation modeling indicated that the association between negative psychological coping strategies and poorer mental health was stronger at higher levels of stress, whereas the association between positive psychological coping strategies and better quality of life was stronger at lower levels of stress. These findings provide evidence in support of tailored approaches that integrate interventions addressing external stressors and internal coping strategies to support positive mental health and enhanced quality of life in displaced refugees.

Negative Emotions, Triggers, and Coping Strategies Among Postpartum Indian Women During Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons for the Subsequent Waves and Beyond.

IntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 associated psychological distress among pregnant and postpartum women during the second wave of COVID-19 in India.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was done using a pre-validated tool involving 491 participants attending a tertiary-care hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 in India.ResultsThree-fourths of participants experienced negative emotions such as fear and various features of depression. Participants (75%) reported COVID-related news on TV/Radio/Newspapers including social media as the major trigger for these negative emotions. Loss of social support mainly affected postpartum women (p < 0.001) and working women (p < 0.001). Inability to access healthcare services had negative associations with age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), and socioeconomic class (p < 0.001). Various coping strategies being followed by participants included watching TV/Videos or reading books (93%), resorting to social media (77%), spending more time praying and meditating (86%), and engaging in hobbies (56%).ConclusionDuring the second wave, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly high negative impact on the psychological and social well-being of pregnant and postpartum women. Hence, it is important to initiate appropriate preventive and corrective steps by the policymakers for any future waves of the pandemic.

Dissaving In the Era of “Free” Care for Tuberculosis (TB): A Qualitative Exploration of Financial Coping and Enablers Among Patients with Co-Prevalent TB-HIV/ TB-Diabetes in Bhavnagar Region, Western India

Background: India reports the highest number of cases of tuberculosis (TB) in India. Patients with TB employ negative financial coping mechanisms (dissaving) to make up for the costs of care. Our objectives were to explore the dissaving employed and enablers perceived by patients with TB-HIV, patients with TB-diabetes, and program managers of TB. Methods: We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews among eight TB-HIV patients, eight TB-diabetes patients, and seventeen program managers of TB in the Bhavnagar region (western part of India). An interview guide focusing on the coping strategies and enablers was used. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis (codes and categories). Results: Borrowing money, taking a loan on interest, selling jewellery, taking up employment by the spouse, and mortgaging assets were the negative financial coping strategies employed by patients with TB-HIV co-infection/ TB-diabetes comorbidity. Free diagnosis, free treatment, accessible health facilities, support from health workers, bi-directional screening, and collaborative integration were some of the enablers perceived by patients and program managers. Conclusions: Even in settings with a decentralized “free” model of TB care, patients with co-prevalent TB-HIV/ TB-diabetes employ dissaving to offset the costs of care. The cash transfer scheme for patients with TB should be realigned to meet the financial protection targets of zero catastrophic costs by the year 2030.

To what extent do social support and coping strategies mediate the relation between childhood maltreatment and major depressive disorder: A longitudinal community-based cohort.

This study aimed to articulate the roles of social support and coping strategies in the relation between childhood maltreatment (CM) and subsequent major depressive disorder (MDD) with a comprehensive exploration of potential factors in a longitudinal community-based cohort. Parallel and serial mediation analyses were applied to estimate the direct effect (DE) (from CM to MDD) and indirect effects (from CM to MDD through social support and coping strategies, simultaneously and sequentially). Sociodemographic characteristics and genetic predispositions of MDD were considered in the modeling process. A total of 902 participants were included in the analyses. CM was significantly associated with MDD (DE coefficient (β) = 0.015, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.002∼0.028). This relation was partially mediated by social support (indirect β = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.0001∼0.008) and negative coping (indirect β = 0.013, 95% CI = 0.008∼0.020), respectively. Social support, positive coping, and negative coping also influenced each other and collectively mediated the association between CM and MDD. This study provides robust evidence that although CM has a detrimental effect on later-on MDD, social support and coping strategies could be viable solutions to minimize the risk of MDD. Intervention and prevention programs should primarily focus on weakening negative coping strategies, then strengthening social support and positive coping strategies.

Intersection of anxiety and negative coping among Asian American medical students.

PurposeAsian Americans comprise 21% of matriculating medical students in the United States but little is known about their mental health. With the growing focus on addressing the mental health of medical students, this systematic, nationwide survey assesses the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and coping skills among Asian American medical students.Materials and methodsA survey tool comprised of Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and questions related to coping were emailed to members of the Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association enrolled in a United States medical school during the 2016–2017 academic year. We evaluated associations between anxiety and coping as well as depression and coping.ResultsA total of 511 Asian American medical students completed the survey. Anxiety symptoms were positively correlated with an increase in negative coping skills. Depressive symptoms were not correlated with an increase in negative coping skills.ConclusionProfessionals and medical schools that aim to improve the mental health of medical students should be aware of the needs of specific populations. Asian American students who experience anxiety were more likely to utilize avoidant or negative coping strategies. In addition, Asian American students who experience depressive symptoms were not more likely to utilize these negative coping strategies. Further research must be done to evaluate the factors that influence the use of negative coping strategies to better address anxiety within the Asian American medical student population.

Trauma following Hurricanes Maria and Michael: Complicated roles of hazard-related factors, negative coping strategies, and positive character strengths

BackgroundNatural disasters are traumatizing to victims. Past research has investigated negative (e.g., stress) and positive (e.g., growth) following natural disasters, but few studies have explored the complex relationships between factors leading to both types of outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine factors predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in survivors of Hurricanes Maria and Michael, both of which struck Florida in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Specifically, we investigated how hazard-specific factors, coping strategies, and character strengths were related to PTSS, PTG, or both. MethodsAn online survey was conducted six to 14 months after the hurricanes among survivors (N ​= ​566). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with variables entered systematically. ResultsSurvivors were more likely to report current PTSS if they (1) experienced more peritraumatic negative emotions, hazard-related stressors, or a past trauma; (2) employed negative coping strategies employed following the storms; and (3) reported low trait optimism or high trait altruism. Current PTG was associated with younger age, length of time following the hazard, more peritraumatic positive emotions and stressors, use of self-distraction and denial for coping, and higher trait optimism. ConclusionsResults indicate that optimism may be protective and beneficial for disaster survivors, but that altruism's role may be more complex than expected. The evidence connecting duration since the storms and PTG and PTSD suggests that the meaning-seeking struggle toward growth takes more time, though time helps healing. The findings provide guidance for subsequent prospective studies designed to improve clinical services and disaster relief.

Structural and functional characteristics of stress resistance in sports amid coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of coping strategies among female track-and-field students of the first-third study years with different aggressiveness levels on the back of the coronavirus disease 2019-provoked self-isolation. The total sample of respondents comprised 360 female students majoring in Physical Education and Sports. All of them were enrolled in an online survey using the Anxiety, Frustration, Aggressiveness, and Rigidity methodology and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory. The study revealed that first-year students with high levels of aggressiveness focused on emotions and their expression under stress more often than first-years with moderate aggressiveness levels. Similarly, an increased concentration on negative emotions display was inherent to respondents of the second study year. The transition from the first to the third study year was marked with consolidation and strengthening of negative coping strategies used by female track-and-field athletes. This represents one of the central reasons for the deterioration of their psycho-emotional state during the quarantine. The most widely applied stress response tactics of female students of all 3 study years were associated with positive thinking, active coping, and planning (P≤0.05 with other coping strategies). Resort to psychoactive substances was noted less frequently (P≤0.01 with other strategies). As for the emotional component, increased attention to emotions’ expression and seeking of instrumental and emotional support were also chosen relatively often. The problematic issue needs further investigation in order to analyze whether stressful conditions persist or have decreased.

Psychological distress and coping strategies among the caretakers of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.

IntroductionThalassemia is a chronic childhood disease that could result in psychological distress not only to the patients but also to their caretakers. Caretakers utilize different coping strategies to reduce stress and maintain a good quality of life.ObjectiveThe study aims to measure the level of psychological distress among caretakers of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients and identify coping strategies used by them, as well as examine factors related to both outcome measures.MethodsSixty-eight (N = 68) caretakers of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia agreed to participate in the study when they were approached during their visits to one of three major hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia, for the children's medical treatment. They completed the Malay validated Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21) and Brief-COPE self-report, in addition to a brief study proforma.ResultsThe majority of the participants reported feeling psychologically well, with no related scores in depression, anxiety, and stress sub-scales. The mean score for anxiety and stress sub-scales were 3.54 (SD = 3.54) and 4.25 (SD = 3.26) respectively. The median score for the depression sub-scale was 2.00 (IQR 4.00). The three mostly utilized coping strategies were religion, acceptance, and positive reframing. Those with depressed and anxious moods were found to engage more in negative coping strategies including substance abuse, denial, and behavioral disengagement. Being female, of younger age, employed, with higher educational level, and income status was found to significantly influence the adoption of positive reframing as a coping strategy.ConclusionPsychological distress such as elevated anxiety and depression was found among a small portion of caretakers who have children with thalassemia whose treatment required blood transfusion. They were noted to apply more maladaptive coping strategies compared to their psychologically well counterparts.

Strategies employed in coping with physical disabilities acquired during adulthood in rural South Africa.

BackgroundSociety places people with physical disabilities acquired during adulthood in disadvantaged positions, especially when they cannot participate in activities like their non-disabled counterparts. The situation can be worse for individuals who acquire disabilities during adulthood, where they have to learn to cope with the adulthood-acquired physical disabilities.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the types of physical disabilities acquired during adulthood and their causes and explore how participants defined their disabilities and the coping strategies they used.MethodsThe study used a phenomenological research design. Five adults (three women, two men) with adulthood-acquired disabilities were purposefully selected from a rural area in Limpopo, South Africa. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes about coping strategies study participants used.ResultsThe results show four types of adulthood-acquired disabilities amongst the participants: visual impairment, paraplegia, weakened muscles which led to bilateral amputation, loss of function on both hands and legs. Participants’ meanings of their physical adulthood-acquired disabilities ranged from a punishment, pain, not a bother, black magic, to results of doing wrong things to someone. In coming to terms with their adulthood-acquired disabilities, participants used problem- and emotion-focused strategies. Four themes from the participants’ responses were spiritual support, social support, substance dependency, access to health and rehabilitation services.ConclusionThe study contributes to understanding the experiences of individuals who acquired disabilities in adulthood, how they define their disabilities and the divergent coping strategies they use. This study established that participants used problem-focused, positive emotion-focused and negative emotion-focused coping strategies.

Socioeconomic disparities in distress and coping in gynecologic oncology patients (568)

Socioeconomic disparities in distress and coping in gynecologic oncology patients (568)

Touching male patients – The challenge of orthodox Jewish female nursing students: A phenomenological study

BackgroundIndividuals from minority populations represent a growing percentage of the nursing workforce. Orthodox Jewish nurses are part of the Israeli nursing workforce, but scarce data and little research is available regarding the influence of nurses'; religious and cultural backgrounds on their interactions with patients. Research regarding touch between the sexes in a professional context refers mainly to male nurses touching female patients. The cultural context of touching patients has also been poorly investigated. ObjectivesUnderstanding orthodox Jewish female nursing student's experience of touching male patients. DesignQualitative study. SettingsFour academic nursing programs in Israel. ParticipantsForty orthodox Jewish female nursing students, academic year 3–4. MethodDescriptive phenomenological approach. Forty in depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken and analyzed according to themes. ResultsEight categories were identified. From these, three main themes emerged: Supervisor-student relationship (bullying/abuse), negative personal feelings (loneliness/helplines, lack of support, fears, cognitive dissonance) and coping strategies (being tested by God, improving one's self character, positive personal reflection). ConclusionThese students presented with unique challenges facing male patients – which clinical instructors were unaware of. They used their cultural background as a source of power. Findings may be of global relevance for other nursing schools and health services where nurses come from religious backgrounds.

Impact of Psychological Distress in Women upon Coping with Breast Cancer

Objective(s): To determine the impact of psychological distress in women upon coping with breast cancer.&#x0D; Methodology: A descriptive design is carried throughout the present study. Convenient sample of (60) woman with breast cancer is recruited from the community. Two instruments, psychological distress scale and coping scale are developed for the study. Internal consistency reliability and content validity are obtained for the study instruments. Data are collect through the application of the study instruments. Data are analyzed through the use of descriptive statistical data analysis approach and inferential statistical data analysis approach.&#x0D; Results: The study findings depict that women with breast cancer have experienced psychological distress and negative coping strategies.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study confirms that psychological distress has an impact upon women’s coping with breast cancer.&#x0D; Recommendations: The study recommends that screening for psychological distress among high-risk breast cancer patients could facilitate timely referral to appropriate psychosocial services.

Coping strategies of stress and its associated factors among breast cancer patients in Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital, Ethiopia: Institution-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDiagnosed with breast malignancy can be stressful, affecting several domains of life, affecting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being that can lead to stress. To adapt to stress, the patient can use different coping methods. Therefore the objective of this research was to assess coping strategies for stress and its associated factors among breast cancer patients in Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital, Ethiopia.Methods and materialsThe institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 272 study participants attending Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital from February to April 2020. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata 4.2. Descriptive statistics was employed for data analysis and tables and figures were used to present the results. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variables that affected the outcome variables.ResultMajority (45.8%) of the study participants were in the age range 40–54 years. About 51.1% [95% CI (45.1–57.2)] of breast cancer patients have positive coping strategies to stress in the current study. About 64% solve stress through the Confrontive strategy and more than 73% of participants solve their problems by distancing. In self-controlling coping mechanisms, most participants do positive coping strategies. Having social support and taking only chemotherapy increased positive coping strategy but being single and time since diagnosis (1–3 years) increased negative coping.ConclusionsAbout 51% of breast cancer patients have a positive coping strategy. Since the majority of breast cancer patients in the current study experienced negative coping strategies, it is better to expand health education regarding stress coping strategies. In addition, it is better to link patients to clinical psychologists and organizations that aimed to social support to cancer patients.

Women’s perceptions of, and emotional responses to, sexual violence depicted in film or series

Sexual violence, particularly against women, is alarmingly common. Many survivors experience post-traumatic stress ( Cortina &amp; Kubiak, 2006 ); thus, reminders of the trauma could cause flashbacks, dissociative symptoms, and intense fear ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ). Given that women consume media that regularly depicts sexual violence, which could cause distress, the current study examined women’s perceptions of, and emotional responses to, scenes of sexual violence. It was predicted that women would perceive scenes of sexual violence negatively and that would be particularly true for women with a sexual violence history, those who reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms related to sexual violence history, and those who use negative coping strategies in response to stressors. Participants were women ( n = 229) who completed an online survey. More than half (52%) of participants reported that they had experienced sexual violence. Participants generally reported negative perceptions of scenes of sexual violence, with a majority viewing them as too graphic, used for shock value/titillation, and unnecessary to the plot. Women with a history of sexual violence reported greater avoidance of media that might contain sexual violence and greater negative affect in response to scenes of sexual violence; however, women who exceeded the post-traumatic stress disorder screen cut-off did not report greater avoidance and negative affect than those who did not exceed the cut-off. Finally, those who reported a greater tendency to cope with stressors using problem avoidance reported more avoidance of, and negative affect in response to, scenes of sexual violence. Exploratory analyses, limitations, and future directions are discussed.