Date of Award

6-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Amy Naugle, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Amy Damashek, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Scott Gaynor, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Eric Sauer, Ph.D.

Keywords

Brief intervention, psychological distress, self-compassion, sexual assault, sexual trauma, shame

Abstract

Individuals who have experienced sexual trauma are at an increased risk of psychological disorders and psychological distress (Dworkin, 2020; Dworkin et al., 2017; Dworkin & Schumacher, 2018). Sexual trauma has one of the highest conditional risks for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (Domino et al., 2020; Perrin et al., 2014). Experiential avoidance, shame, and posttraumatic cognitions are associated with psychological distress after experiencing sexual trauma (Bhuptani et al., 2019; Domino et al., 2020; Foa et al., 1999; Merwin et al., 2009). Established research suggests that self-compassion-based therapies can be effective in reducing psychological distress and treating a wide range of different psychological issues (Wilson et al., 2019). Mounting research evidence suggests that self-compassion-based interventions may reduce avoidance (Winders et al., 2020), feelings of shame (Leaviss & Uttley, 2015; Winders et al., 2020), and effectively treat posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (Winders et al., 2020). Although the relationship between experiencing sexual trauma and psychological distress has been well researched, there has been little research on the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions with survivors of sexual trauma. By investigating the effects of brief self-compassion interventions on psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and overall well-being in survivors of sexual trauma, researchers can more effectively target processes of change to improve therapeutic outcomes for survivors of sexual trauma.

The present study investigated the effects of a brief (5 session) self-compassion telehealth protocol with survivors of sexual trauma who experienced high levels of psychological distress and symptoms related to posttraumatic stress using a single-subject multiple baseline design. The present study also investigated the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention on experiential avoidance, shame, and posttraumatic cognitions, which are variables that have been implicated in existing research as contributing to the onset and maintenance of PTSD and psychological distress. The results of the present study demonstrated mixed results. Group analyses of pretest and posttest indicated statistically significant decreases in trauma symptoms (large effect), trauma-related shame (large effect), experiential avoidance (large effect), and posttraumatic cognitions (large effect), but no statistically significant changes in self-compassion, general psychological distress, psychological flexibility, or overall well-being. Self-compassion approached significance in pre-posttest analyses and was the only variable that was statistically significant at one-month follow-up suggesting the effects may have been initially dampened during the intervention period or that the effects needed time to “stick.” Single subject analyses also demonstrated mixed results with some participants having statistically significant or visually significant changes in general psychological distress, trauma symptoms, trauma-related shame, experiential avoidance, and posttraumatic cognitions, while other participant results indicated no statistically significant or visual changes in AB line graphs. Results of overall well-being, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion were also mixed with some participants A-B line graphs and TAU-U statistics indicating changes in these variables, while other participants demonstrated no changes in these variables.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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