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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
Recommended Citation
Caselman, Gabrielle, "Subjective and Objective Health Outcomes Predicted by Sexual Trauma Stigma: The Role of Medical Mistrust and Resiliency" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3760. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3760
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.