Social Support, Coping, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Female Sexual Assault Survivors: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

Social support and coping affect each other after stressful life events, including sexual assault (Taylor & Stanton, 2007). The present study examined the associations among assault-specific support, maladaptive coping, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) over 3 years in a sample of female sexual assault survivors from a large metropolitan area (N = 1,863). A 3-wave cross-lagged panel model revealed significant weak-to-moderate reciprocal associations between maladaptive coping and PTSS (βs =.09 to.21), significant weak reciprocal associations between turning against social reactions and PTSS (βs =.07 to.10), and inconsistent weak reciprocal associations between maladaptive coping and unsupportive acknowledgment reactions (βs =.06 to.14). We conclude with implications regarding treatment and intervention for survivors and their support networks.