Positieve effecten na trauma: determinanten van posttraumatische groei bij slachtoffers van eenmalig seksueel geweld.

Abstract

Summary This study examines positive effects after trauma and focuses on determinants of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among victims of one-time sexual violence. PTG refers to positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with trauma. The expected determinants of PTG are: age, posttraumatic stress symptoms, previous life stressors, social support and social support that could possibly enhance the effect between posttraumatic stress symptoms and PTG. A sample of 49 Dutch children and adolescents (mean age 16.85 years, SD= 2.54) who experienced one-time sexual violence and who were treated at the Psychotrauma Unit of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital in Utrecht participated in the study. The clients have filled out the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children (PTGI-C) after finishing treatment. Results showed that only social support, in the form of having less friends, has a negative effect on PTG (B = -1.68, p < .05). This finding suggests that friendships are important in the development of PTG and this should be implemented in treatment. Psychologists should take friendships of clients into consideration and look at how much disclosure there is in these friendships in order to promote social support and therefore PTG in victims of one-time sexual violence.