The Mediating Effect of World Assumptions on the Relationship Between Trauma Exposure and Depression

Abstract

The association between trauma exposure and mental health-related challenges such as depression are well documented in the research literature. The assumptive world theory was used to explore this relationship in 97 female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed trauma history, world assumptions, and depression severity. Regression analyses revealed that diminished world assumptions mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and depression severity. As predicted, this relationship held for interpersonal forms of trauma, whereas noninterpersonal forms of trauma were related neither to diminished world assumption nor to depression severity. This suggests that our conceptual system of relating to the world, our core beliefs that comprise our assumptive world, may be challenged in the face of human-induced trauma, increasing our risk for developing adverse psychological outcomes such as depression.

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress among parents struggling with their child’s cancer – the role of negative cognitions and disruption in core beliefs

“…This means that previously established cognitive schemata may be rejected as a result of experienced trauma or they can be confirmed and reinforced. The persistence of strong, rigid beliefs (both negative and positive) can accompany depression, fear, regret and other negative outcomes resulting from experienced trauma [12].…”

“…Oznacza to, że wcześniej posiadane schematy poznawcze w wyniku doznanej traumy mogą ulec odrzuceniu, ale mogą także zostać potwierdzone i usztywnione. Utrzymywanie się silnych, sztywnych przekonań (zarówno negatywnych, jak i pozytywnych) współwystępuje z objawami depresji, lęku, żalu oraz innymi negatywnymi następstwami wynikającymi z doświadczonej traumy [12].…”

Pre-migration Trauma Exposure and Psychological Distress for Asian American Immigrants: Linking the Pre- and Post-migration Contexts

“…According to the assumptive world theory, individuals hold some core assumptions about the world and self, such as, belief about benevolence of the world, belief about justice in the world, and belief in self-worth [23][24][25]. Belief about the world's benevolence refers to the extent to which the individual interprets the intention/disposition of the surrounding world as benign or malevolent.…”

“…People exposed to trauma tend to have a weak belief in a just world [23]. Previous studies found that people with weak belief in a just world tend to report higher perceptions of discrimination while those with a strong belief in a just world tend to report minimal perceptions of discrimination [47][48][49][50][51][52].…”

“…Theories on trauma suggest that the intensely disruptive nature of traumatic events can shatter the victims' belief about the benevolence of the world, justice in the world, and self-worth [23][24][25]. These shattered beliefs may increase trauma victims' vigilance against external threats (e.g., discriminations), especially for immigrants who re-settle in an unfamiliar post-migration context.…”