Symptoms of PTSD in a sample of female victims of sexual violence in post-earthquake Haiti

Rahill, Guitele J.; Joshi, Manisha; Lescano, Celia M.; Holbert, Dezeray

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.067

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The few studies conducted among sexually assaulted women after the earthquake also showed that they present higher prevalence of traumatic consequences (Rahill et al, 2015;Deschamps et al, 2019). The results of the present study and previous research suggests that the consequences of enduring cumulative trauma can leave women more vulnerable to important traumatic consequences (Suliman et al, 2009;Rahill et al, 2015). Our results in particular show that the cumulative effect persists even in the case of mixed interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma.…”

Section: Moderated Moderation Analysessupporting

confidence: 77%

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Cénat

Smith²,

Morse

et al. 2019

Psychol. Med.

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BackgroundIn 2010, an important earthquake devastated Haiti and caused thousands of deaths. In a social context where women are particularly vulnerable, this cross-sectional study examined the associations between sexual assaults experienced by women before the earthquake, the earthquake exposure, the traumatic consequences, and their satisfaction of social support received.MethodsA total of 660 women aged 18 to 86 completed questionnaires assessing exposure to the earthquake, sexual assault victimization, peritraumatic distress, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and social support. A moderated moderation model was computed to examine associations between exposure to the earthquake, sexual assault, social support, and traumatic consequences.ResultsResults showed that 31.06% of women were victims of sexual assault before the earthquake. They presented higher prevalence of peritraumatic distress, PTSD, and depression symptoms, compared to non-victims. The moderated-moderation model showed that sexual assault and exposure to the earthquake were positively associated with traumatic consequences (respectively, B = 0.560, p < 0.001; B = 0.196, p < 0.001), while social support was negatively associated with them (B = −0.095, p < 0.05). Results showed a triple interaction: women victim of sexual assault who were satisfied with received social support are less likely to develop traumatic consequences after being exposed to the earthquake(B = −0.141, p < 0.01).ConclusionsBy demonstrating the role of sexual assault in the development of mental health problems after the Haitian earthquake, this study shows the importance for clinicians to investigate interpersonal trauma experienced before or following natural disasters among survivors. Results also indicate the key role of family and communities to help survivors build resilience and coping strategies with their social support.

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Section: Moderated Moderation Analysessupporting

confidence: 77%

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Cénat

Smith²,

Morse

et al. 2019

Psychol. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For instance, in practice, rape within marriage is not prosecuted within the Haitian court system despite legal advances over the past 20 years which have clearly defined rape to include forced sexed which occurs in an existing romantic relationship. Traditional gender roles in Haitian culture subjugate a woman's desires to that of her male partners leaving reluctant women with the perception that they are forced or obligated to have sex even when they desire to refrain (Faedi 2008;Joshi et al 2014;Lankenau 2012;Rahill et al 2015;Small et al 2008).…”

Section: Sexual and Romantic Relationships In Haitian Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

‘It’s Not a Gift When It Comes with Price’: A Qualitative Study of Transactional Sex between UN Peacekeepers and Haitian Citizens

Kolbe

2015

Stability: International Journal of Security &Amp; Development

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“…Many women made homeless in rural areas are still living in temporary shelters due to the delay in reconstruction work, a situation which has contributed to increased trafficking of young women to big cities in Nepal and India to work as sex workers 8. A study conducted in Haiti reported sexual violence by non-intimate partners or strangers, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder, following an earthquake,9 and it seems highly plausible that this will have occurred in post-earthquake Nepal, too.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's health is not in focus in disaster zones: lessons from the Nepal earthquake

Thapa

Acharya

2016

J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care

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Symptoms of PTSD in a sample of female victims of sexual violence in post-earthquake Haiti

Cited by 27 publications

References 10 publications

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

‘It’s Not a Gift When It Comes with Price’: A Qualitative Study of Transactional Sex between UN Peacekeepers and Haitian Citizens

Women's health is not in focus in disaster zones: lessons from the Nepal earthquake

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