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Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Psychology

Date of Award

5-2020

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Julia Dodd

Committee Members

Andrea Clements, Stacey Williams

Abstract

Research has documented the adverse health outcomes that may result from experiences of sexual trauma and medical mistrust. Stigmatization as a result of sexual trauma experience(s) may also cause significant distress. The current study examined the effect of sexual trauma stigma and the potential mediating role of medical mistrust on health. Resiliency was examined as a potential moderator, as it may buffer sexual trauma stigma’s effects on medical mistrust and health outcomes. A sample of 482 women with a sexual trauma history completed questionnaires regarding health and sexual trauma stigma. Study data was analyzed in SPSS v.25 and included correlations and moderated-mediational analyses. Results demonstrated that sexual trauma stigma and medical mistrust independently predicted somatic symptom burden but not BMI. Medical mistrust and resiliency did not emerge as significant mediators/moderators. Limitations include a homogenous sample and possible measurement error. Future research of other maintaining mechanisms is warranted.

Document Type

Thesis - restricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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