| Poster | Poster Session 04 Program Schedule
02/15/2024
12:00 pm - 01:15 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)
Poster Session 04: Neuroimaging | Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation | Teleneuropsychology/Technology
Final Abstract #86
Somatic and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Woman Sexual Trauma: Effects of Online Sexual Trauma-Related Content Engagement
Caterina Obenauf, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
Gina Owens, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
Amber Rochette, Knox Neuro, Knoxville, United States
Category: Teleneuropsychology/ Technology
Keyword 1: post-traumatic stress disorder
Keyword 2: technology
Keyword 3: minority issues
Objective:
Seeking online support for trauma has become increasingly common. Women seek help online from other women via forums, groups, and influencers for a variety of issues, including trauma and other health-related concerns. Little is known about the experiences of women survivors of sexual trauma who engage in online sexual trauma-related content and whether this has implications for physical and mental health. This study compared the somatic and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of women who have experienced sexual trauma and who engage or do not engage with online sexual trauma-related content. Women who engage with such content were also asked about their experiences to gain a better understanding on their perceptions about engagement with this content.
Participants and Methods:
Eighty-four women (Mage = 29.21) completed an online survey administered via social media, which included measures of somatic symptoms, PTSD symptoms, stress reactivity, emotion regulation, and meaning made. Many backgrounds and identities were represented in the sample (8% non-cisgender, 26% non-heterosexual, 13% veterans, and 38% racial/ethnic minorities). Most participants (92%) reported exposure to other Criterion A traumatic events in addition to sexual trauma. Most participants (85%) also report more than one experience of unwanted sexual contact, with 43% reporting five or more experiences of unwanted sexual contact. To compare outcomes between women who have experienced sexual trauma who do or do not engage in sexual trauma-related content, a series of five independent samples t-tests were conducted. Women who reported engaging in online sexual trauma-related content were asked open-ended questions about their experiences.
Results:
Women who have experienced sexual trauma and engage in sexual trauma related content report more debilitating somatic symptoms, t(81) = -7.13, p < .001, greater emotion dysregulation, t(82) = -3.52, p 95% reported back pain, heart palpitations, pain during intercourse, gastrointestinal concerns, and fatigue. Thematic analysis of qualitative findings revealed four main themes related to their online engagement: feeling affirmed and not alone (37%), emotional support (32%), content was triggering (30%), and frequent victim shaming (23%).
Conclusions:
While some participants qualitatively reported perceived benefits of engaging in supportive content, women who engage in such content report worse somatic and psychological outcomes, except for greater meaning made from their trauma. Findings underscore the importance of assessing for online engagement in sexual trauma-related content among women with history of sexual trauma given potential risks. Future research is needed to better understand protective vs. harmful aspects of social media engagement in this population and its contribution to somatic and psychological outcomes.
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