The Mediating Roles of Hostility and Dissociation in the Relationship Between Sexual Assault and Suicidal Thinking in College Students

Abstract

Sexual assault and suicide are two serious public health concerns. Research has documented the relationship between sexual assault and suicidal thinking and attempts; however, limited research explores the more multifaceted relationships between posttraumatic stress reactions and suicidal ideation in college students through unsuccessful modulation of emotion. The authors hypothesized a mediation model where the relationship between sexual assault and suicidal ideation is mediated by dissociation and hostility. In total, 1,677 undergraduate students were administered modified versions of the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ). The results revealed both significant partial but equal mediators of hostility and dissociation. However, a portion of the direct effect between sexual assault and suicidal ideation remained unaccounted for by indirect effects. The current model supports previous work on dialectical behavior therapy that says either side of the dialectic between extreme expression and suppression of hostility increases the likelihood of suicidal thinking after sexual assault. With sexual assault survivors, practitioners should use strategies that emphasize both anger expression and healthy avoidance as a way to modulate emotion to potentially reduce suicidal thoughts. Future research should focus on different gender models, additional possible mediators such as alcohol use and guilt, and different forms of sexual assault. Limitations of the correlational, cross-sectional methodology are discussed.

Improving care for SUD patients with complex trauma–relationships between childhood trauma, dissociation, and suicidal behavior in female patients with PTSD and SUD

“…Our findings underline the importance of dissociative symptoms for suicidal behaviors, especially in survivors of sexual abuse. While other studies reported direct associations between sexual abuse and suicidal behaviors ( 32 , 33 ), our findings are consistent with the literature that reports a mediating role of dissociative symptoms ( 34 ). The fact that these associations were only observed in women with full PTSD suggests that overall severity of psychopathology plays a role and dissociation could be part of cPTSD in these patients.…”

Childhood Emotional Trauma and Cyberbullying Perpetration Among Emerging Adults: A Multiple Mediation Model of the Role of Problematic Social Media Use and Psychopathology

“…Meanwhile, other studies have reported that dissociation is positively correlated with increased hostility (Keefe et al 2017), anger (Calamari and Pini 2003), and adolescent aggression (Kisiel and Lyons 2001). Moreover, it has been suggested that insecure adolescent females, who experience an intense anger or who direct their anger inward, use dissociation as a coping mechanism (Calamari and Pini 2003).…”

“The Ugliness of It Seeps into Me”: Experiences of Vicarious Trauma among Female Psychologists Treating Survivors of Sexual Assault

“…Women who have experienced sexual assault report significant feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, overwhelming anxiety, and difficulty functioning in their daily lives. Sexual assault is more strongly associated with suicidal behavior than other types of traumatic events [ 2 ].…”