Exploring the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder and interpersonal outcomes: The role of social acknowledgment and trauma type

Objectives Research demonstrates consistent relations between posttrauma symptoms and interpersonal dysfunction. The current study examined the extent to which perceptions of community rejection account for the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and interpersonal outcomes in students exposed to assaultive and nonassaultive trauma. Method Participants (N = 137; 66.4% female; M = 20 years) completed a trauma history interview, questionnaires assessing symptom severity, social disapproval, and interpersonal outcomes. Results Assault survivors (n = 83) reported greater symptoms (d = 0.57), disapproval (d = 0.80), and social impairment (d = 0.51) relative to the nonassault group (n = 54). However, regression analyses indicated stronger associations between PTSD and community disapproval in survivors of nonassaultive (beta = 0.69; p < 0.001) versus assaultive (beta = 0.34; p < 0.001) events. Indirect effects of PTSD on perceived support and interpersonal functioning through social disapproval were also larger for nonassaultive versus assaultive groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion Despite greater dysfunction among assault survivors, perceptions of disapproval may be a more salient factor for interpersonal dynamics following nonassaultive trauma.