Sexual Violence and Mental Health: An Analysis of the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion Using a Feminist Lens

Feminist theories describe how women who experience sexual violence often internalize cultural narratives which can lead to self-blame and disconnection. Self-compassion has the potential to provide a buffer against these negative outcomes. This study explored self-compassion as a mediator of the as...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McAllister, Paige (Author)
Contributors: Vennum, Amber
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2022
In: Violence against women
Year: 2022, Volume: 28, Issue: 5, Pages: 1341-1357
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
Mental Health
Feminist Theory
Sexual Violence
Description
Summary:Feminist theories describe how women who experience sexual violence often internalize cultural narratives which can lead to self-blame and disconnection. Self-compassion has the potential to provide a buffer against these negative outcomes. This study explored self-compassion as a mediator of the association between experiencing sexual violence and negative mental health outcomes. The sample consisted of 368 undergraduate women. A path analysis revealed that experiencing sexual violence prior to the beginning of the semester was positively associated with self-criticism, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms at the end of the semester directly and indirectly through self-compassion mid-semester. Clinical and research implications are also discussed.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012211012097