Examining Shame Types and PTSD Among Survivors of Lifetime Sexual Victimization

Lifetime sexual victimization history (i.e. experiences in childhood, adolescence, and/or adulthood), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and multiple types of general and assault-related shame were examined among 95 community and college women. Participants completed surveys assessing sexual victimization histories, shame, and a clinician-administered diagnostic interview for PTSD. Levels of multiple types of shame were compared among survivors of lifetime sexual victimization with current PTSD (n = 31), survivors of lifetime sexual victimization without current PTSD (n = 33), and non-traumatized controls (n = 31). Hypotheses were largely supported. Results indicated survivors with PTSD reported more assault-related shame compared to survivors without PTSD. Additionally, survivors with PTSD endorsed more characterological shame and behavioral shame than the other groups, who did not differ. The sexual victimization groups reported comparable levels of bodily shame, regardless of PTSD diagnosis. Finally, assault-related shame and characterological shame were associated with increased assault-related PTSD symptom severity in the multivariate model. Further research and clinical interventions targeting shame may be particularly important for survivors of sexual victimization, with and without a current PTSD diagnosis.