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Institutional betrayal following military sexual trauma is associated with more severe depression and specific posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters
Author(s) -
Andresen Felicia J.,
Monteith Lindsey L.,
Kugler Jordan,
Cruz Rick A.,
Blais Rebecca K.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22773
Subject(s) - betrayal , psychology , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , suicidal ideation , psychiatry , moral injury , posttraumatic stress , arousal , poison control , suicide prevention , psychotherapist , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology , neuroscience , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Preliminary research suggests that perceptions of institutional betrayal are associated with more severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, as well as suicide attempts in military sexual trauma (MST) survivors. However, results have not been replicated. Additionally, associations of institutional betrayal with specific PTSD symptom clusters or sexual function are understudied. Method Female service members/veterans who reported experiencing MST ( N = 679) completed self‐report measures of PTSD and depression symptom severity, suicidal ideation, and sexual function. Institutional betrayal was assessed from free‐text descriptions of self‐reported index traumas. Results Institutional betrayal was significantly associated with more severe depression and PTSD symptoms, including avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, re‐experiencing, and dysphoric arousal. Conclusions Targeting specific PTSD and depressive symptoms through evidence‐based treatment may be important for managing institutional betrayal sequelae. Future research should identify specific strategies to help support survivors in their recovery following institutional betrayal.