Medical College of Wisconsin
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PTSD symptoms and sexual harassment: the role of attributions and perceived control. J Interpers Violence 2011 Sep;26(13):2555-67

Date

12/16/2010

Pubmed ID

21156692

DOI

10.1177/0886260510388284

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-79961235455 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   55 Citations

Abstract

Researchers have compiled significant evidence demonstrating that sexual harassment leads to psychological harm, including the full symptom picture of PTSD, but few have examined the psychological processes involved. Research on attributions among trauma victims would suggest that causal attributions and perceptions of control may be important predictors of outcomes. The authors discuss a study involving a path model that used data from 189 women involved in sexual harassment litigation. Results indicate that both self-blame and harasser blame were positively related to PTSD symptoms. Control over recovery and the perception that future harassment is unlikely were both related to fewer PTSD symptoms. Unexpectedly, perceived control over future harassment is related to higher levels of PTSD symptoms. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Author List

Larsen SE, Fitzgerald LF

Author

Sadie E. Larsen PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aggression
Comorbidity
Female
Guilt
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Self Concept
Sexual Harassment
Social Perception
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Women's Health
Workplace