Open AccessDeterminants of psychological resistance and recovery among women exposed to assaultive trauma
Author(s) -
Rusch Heather L.,
Shvil Erel,
Szanton Sarah L.,
Neria Yuval,
Gill Jessica M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.322
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychopathology , major depressive disorder , anxiety , clinical psychology , mini international neuropsychiatric interview , medicine , major depressive episode , psychology , cognition
Women exposed to potentially traumatic events ( PTE s) are at high risk for developing psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ), general anxiety disorder ( GAD ), major depressive disorder ( MDD ), and substance‐related disorders. However, this risk is not universal. Most women are resistant (i.e., remain asymptomatic), or recover following a brief symptomatic period. This study examined the psychological factors associated with resistant and recovered outcomes in a sample of high‐risk women exposed to assault‐related PTE s. Method One hundred and fifty‐nine women completed the Life Events Checklist and were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM ‐ IV Axis I Disorders. This resulted in three groups: (1) no diagnosis (no past or current psychiatric disorder diagnosis; n = 56), (2) past diagnosis (a past psychiatric disorder diagnosis, but none currently; n = 31), and (3) current diagnosis (a current diagnosis of one or more psychiatric disorders; n = 72). Groups were compared on sociodemographics, PTE exposure, psychopathology, health‐related quality of life ( HRQOL ), and psychological resilience‐related factors. Results The majority of respondents (79%) did not develop chronic PTSD following assault exposure, and the most common psychiatric outcome was MDD (30%). High endorsement of mastery and social support were associated with the no diagnosis group; and greater reports of mastery and posttraumatic growth were associated with recovery from a past psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, both resilient groups (i.e., no diagnosis and past diagnosis) scored higher on HRQOL measures compared with the current diagnosis group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Psychological resilience has ramifications to health and well‐being, and identifying these factors has potential to inform preventive strategies and treatment interventions for assault exposed women.