doi:10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.1063

Paper Title

Change in Cognitive Mediators of Rape's Impact on Psychosocial Health Across 2 Years of Recovery

Authors

Mary P Koss

Aurelio José Figueredo

Keywords

Cognitive Mediators
Rape Recovery
Psychosocial Health
Longitudinal Study
Self-Blame
Characterological Self-Blame
Behavioral Self-Blame
Maladaptive Beliefs
Psychosocial Distress
Growth Curve Analysis
Trauma Recovery
Cognitive Processing
Belief Alterations
Survivor Coping
Mental Health Outcomes
Post-Traumatic Adjustment
Psychological Healing
Rape survivors

Article Type

Research Article

Journal

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Research Impact Tools

DOI

10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.1063

Issue

Volume : 72 | Issue : 6 | Page No : 1063–1072

Published On

March, 2004

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Abstract

A previously published cross-sectional model of cognitive mediation of rape's impact on health (M. P. Koss, A. J. Figueredo, & R. J. Prince, 2002) was replicated longitudinally. Rape survivors (n = 59) were assessed 4 times at 3-24 months postrape. Growth curve analysis demonstrated significant change in all mediators and outcomes. Previously reported effects of Characterological Self-Blame, Behavioral Self- Blame, and Maladaptive Beliefs on Psychosocial Distress were partially cross-validated in intercept and slope data. The results suggest that Characterological Self-Blame sets the initial level of Psychosocial Distress and that reduction in Behavioral Self-Blame drives recovery. These effects on distress were wholly mediated through self-blame's association with alterations in beliefs about self and others.