Abuse stress and PTSD in victims of child sexual abuse: The roles of coping, support, and cognitive appraisals

The present study examined the roles of coping responses, cognitive appraisals, and parental support in the development of PTSD symptoms in a sample of 97 sexually abused children, ages 6-13 years, referred for varying types of treatment. Through exploratory factor analysis, the hypothesized latent construct of abuse stress was most accurately conceptualized by testing the severity of the sexual abuse and the events associated with the abuse as separate constructs. Subsequent hierarchical linear regression equations showed a child’s coping responses (i.e., social withdrawal and avoidance) did not meet the conditions for mediation or indirect effects on both parent and child reports of PTSD symptoms. Cognitive appraisals were a main effect on child reports of PTSD symptoms. Sexual abuse severity was a main effect on parent reports of PTSD symptoms, but not child reports. Abuse events were a main effect on child reports of PTSD symptoms, but not parent reports. Parental support did not meet the conditions for mediation or indirect effects on both parent and child reports of PTSD symptoms.