Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Feb-Mar;26(2):158-174.
doi: 10.1080/10538712.2017.1280577.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Suicidal Ideation Among Sexually Abused Adolescent Girls: The Mediating Role of Shame

Stéphanie Alix  1 , Louise Cossette  1 , Martine Hébert  2 , Mireille Cyr  3 , Jean-Yves Frappier  4
Affiliations

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Suicidal Ideation Among Sexually Abused Adolescent Girls: The Mediating Role of Shame

Stéphanie Alix et al. J Child Sex Abus. 2017 Feb-Mar.

Abstract

Sexual abuse is associated with a host of negative repercussions in adolescence. Yet the possible mechanisms linking sexual abuse and negative outcomes are understudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among self-blame, shame, coping strategies, posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. The sample included 147 sexually abused adolescent girls between 14 and 18 years of age. A total of 66% of girls reached clinical score for posttraumatic stress disorder, and 53% reached clinical score for depressive symptoms. Close to half (46%) reported suicidal thoughts in the past 3 months. Shame was found to partially mediate the relationship between self-blame and posttraumatic stress disorder. Shame and depressive symptoms were also found to partially mediate the relationship between self-blame and suicidal ideation. Results suggest that shame is a crucial target in interventions designed for sexually abused adolescent girls.

Keywords: attributions; child sexual abuse; coping strategies; depression; self-blame; stigma.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Path Analysis of Suicidal Ideation through Self-blame, Shame, and Depressive Symptoms * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001
Figure 2
Figure 2
Partial Mediation of the Relationship between Self-blame and PTSD through Shame * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Achenbach TM, Rescorla LA. An Integrated System of Multi-informant Assessment. ASEBA, University of Vermont; 2001. Manual for the ASEBA School-Age Forms & Profiles.
    1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4. Washington, DC: Author; 1994.
    1. Bal S, Van Oost P, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Crombez G. Avoidant coping as a mediator between self-reported sexual abuse and stress-related symptoms in adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect. 2003;27(8):883–897. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(03)00137-6. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Baron RM, Kenny DA. The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1986;51(6):1173–1182. http://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Beautrais AL. Risk factors for suicide and attempted suicide among young people. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2000;34(3):420–436. https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2000.00691.x. - DOI - PubMed