1
|
Janson M, Felix ED, Kaniasty K, Lugo-Hernández EA, Rosa-Rodríguez Y, Canino G. Life stressors and posttraumatic stress symptoms mediate the association between disaster exposure and identity-related distress in emerging adults. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-10. [PMID: 36701432 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2155826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The current multi-university, multi-disaster study examined the impact of natural disaster exposure on identity-related distress through life stressors and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Participants: Young adult university students (n = 665, 77% female, M = 20.5 years old) participated in Wave (W) 1. Half provided contact information for follow-up, and 136 university students participated in W2. Method: University students in the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico were asked about disaster exposure, life stressors, PTSS, and identity-related distress at W1 (M = 9.7 months post-disaster) and identity-related distress at W2 (M = 12.4 months after W1). Two serial mediation models assessed the indirect effect of disaster exposure on W1 and W2 identity-related distress through life stressors and PTSS. Results: Disaster exposure impacted identity-related distress concurrently and longitudinally through increasing life stressors since disaster and PTSS. Conclusion: Potential supportive services should address identity-related distress among disaster-exposed young adults with PTSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Janson
- Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, The Gevirtz School, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Erika D Felix
- Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, The Gevirtz School, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Krzysztof Kaniasty
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Yarimar Rosa-Rodríguez
- Institute for Psychological Research, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Glorisa Canino
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Puerto Rico, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wolf M, Kusmaul N, Mucha B. It gets better: childhood sexual abuse and trauma symptoms in female older adults. J Women Aging 2021; 34:800-809. [PMID: 34704917 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2021.1995305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
While there has been great deal of research conducted on the effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) on trauma symptoms in children and adults, there is less knowledge on the effects on trauma symptoms in female older adult CSA survivors. The aim of this study was to investigate current symptoms of trauma in adult female survivors of child sexual abuse across each successive decade, beginning with eighteen year olds. This retrospective, anonymous online study gathered a sample of 223 adult female survivors of CSA (38 of whom were aged 50-59 (17%), and 20 of whom were 60+ years of age (9%)), and surveyed their trauma history and their current symptomology. In our sample, the survivors with the most severe trauma symptoms were between 18 and 29 years old. Each subsequent decade reported fewer trauma symptoms, with respondents in the 60+ age group reporting the lowest trauma symptom severity. While a cross-sectional study does not allow us to evaluate individuals' experiences over time, these results suggest that the negative impacts of CSA may abate over the life course. Future research should consider these questions longitudinally to explore whether these results are related to survivorship (those with worse outcomes dying younger) and whether these effects endure as female older adults experience physical and mental challenges in later life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly Wolf
- Department of Social Work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Nancy Kusmaul
- Department of Social Work, University of Maryland Baltimore County, U.S.A
| | - Brooke Mucha
- Department of Social Work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gfellner BM, Córdoba AI. The interface of identity distress and psychological problems in students' adjustment to University. Scand J Psychol 2020; 61:527-534. [PMID: 32048734 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Identity distress, psychological symptoms, and adjustment to university (academic, social, and person-emotional) were examined among students in Spain (N = 241; Mage = 19.0 (1.6), Md = 19; 84% female) and Canada (N = 531; Mage = 19.8 (2.2), Md = 19; 82% female). The expected positive relationships were found between these variables. Similarly, increased identity distress of Spanish students and greater maladjustment at university for those in Canada were associated with contextual differences in the respective environments. Psychological problems mediated the linkages between identity distress with academic, social, and person-emotional functioning at university, respectively. Also, psychological problems and context/country were independent predictors of students' identity distress. Findings underscore the importance of examining contextual factors that influence student adjustment to university in relation to identity development and mental health and they offer suggestions for further research and counseling services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana I Córdoba
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Trauma can alter the course of identity development and destabilize existing identity commitments. Trauma, whether past or current, can also impact the resources a person brings to identity work. However, identity can also be a lens through which trauma is perceived and interpreted, helping to determine whether a traumatic experience results in posttraumatic stress disorder or posttraumatic growth. Despite the apparent implications each construct has for the other, the scholarship at the intersection of trauma and identity remains sparse. This Special Issue explores how and when trauma and identity influence one another by considering their association across various adolescent populations, methodologies, traumatic event types, and facets of identity. In doing so, this Special Issue lays the groundwork necessary for exploring, proposing, and testing more complex and nuanced reciprocal relations models between identity and trauma.
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang CC, Holden SM, Carter MDK, Webb JJ. Social media social comparison and identity distress at the college transition: A dual-path model. J Adolesc 2018; 69:92-102. [PMID: 30278321 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social media provide a convenient platform for social comparison, an activity that should play an important role in youth's identity development at the transition to college. Yet, the identity implications of online social comparison have not been thoroughly explored. Drawing on the theories of social comparison, introspective processes, and identity distress, we examined a dual-path model. The paths from two types of social media social comparison (i.e., comparison of ability and comparison of opinion) to two introspective processes (i.e., rumination and reflection) and finally to identity distress were tested. METHODS Short-term longitudinal survey data were collected from 219 college freshmen at a state university in the United States of America (Mage = 18.29, S.D. = 0.75; 74% female; 41% White, 38% Black). RESULTS Social comparison of ability on social media had a positive association with concurrent rumination, which predicted higher identity distress. In contrast, social comparison of opinion on social media had a positive relationship with concurrent reflection, which, however, did not predict identity distress. CONCLUSION Results indicate that different types of online social comparison yield distinct implications for young people's identity development. Largely, the study reaffirms the recently rising call for distinguishing the competition-based social comparison of ability from the information-based social comparison of opinion. At the same time, the study expands current knowledge of why these forms of social comparison may lead to differential outcomes, namely through the type of introspection they induce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chen Yang
- Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, University of Memphis, 100 Ball Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.
| | - Sean M Holden
- Office of Institutional Research, University of Memphis, 211 Administration Building, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Mollie D K Carter
- Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, University of Memphis, 100 Ball Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Jessica J Webb
- Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, University of Memphis, 100 Ball Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tillery R, Beal SJ, Thompson AN, Pai ALH. Relationship between cancer-related traumatic stress and family milestone achievement in adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e26998. [PMID: 29411936 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Late physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment pose a burden for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer, including family milestone achievement. This brief report examined links between ongoing cancer-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (CR-PTSS) and family milestone achievement. Survivors (n = 51; Mage = 24.73, SD = 8.20) completed CR-PTSS and family formation questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, univariate parameter-constraints, and correlation analyses examined relations among study variables. Ongoing intrusive thoughts and hyperarousal were negatively linked to family identity development and family achievement. Findings from the present study provide support that ongoing CR-PTSS may be a barrier to family formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Tillery
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Sarah J Beal
- Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Aimee N Thompson
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ahna L H Pai
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gfellner BM, Cordoba AI. Identity Problems, Ego Strengths, Perceived Stress, and Adjustment During Contextual Changes at University. IDENTITY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2016.1268961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana I. Cordoba
- Department of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kaufman EA, Montgomery MJ, Crowell SE. Identity-Related Dysfunction: Integrating Clinical and Developmental Perspectives. IDENTITY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY AND RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2014.944699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
9
|
Scott BG, Sanders AFP, Graham RA, Banks DM, Russell JD, Berman SL, Weems CF. Identity Distress among Youth Exposed to Natural Disasters: Associations with Level of Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress, and Internalizing Problems. IDENTITY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY AND RESEARCH 2014; 14:255-267. [PMID: 25505851 DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2014.944697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Identity distress involves intense or prolonged upset or worry about personal identity issues including long-term goals, career choice, friendships, sexual orientation and behavior, religion, values and beliefs, and group loyalties. Research suggests that trauma exposure and subsequent PTSD symptoms may negatively impact identity development and psychological adjustment. However, little is known about their specific associations with identity distress and internalizing problems among disaster-exposed adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine these relationships in a sample of 325 adolescents (60% female; 89% African American) who experienced a major natural disaster and its aftermath. The results indicated that identity distress was positively associated with age, hurricane exposure, PTSD symptoms, and internalizing problems. Linear regression analyses also showed that identity distress was uniquely associated with internalizing symptoms and that there was an indirect effect of hurricane exposure on identity distress via PTSD symptoms. Finally, PTSD symptoms moderated the link between identity distress and internalizing symptoms, with a significant positive slope found for youth with more PTSD symptoms. Findings were generally consistent with previous work and predictions, and add to the extant knowledge about identity distress by providing data on the linkages between disaster exposure, posttraumatic stress and internalizing problems in adolescents.
Collapse
|
10
|
Berman SL, Montgomery MJ. Problematic Identity Processes: The Role of Identity Distress. IDENTITY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY AND RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2014.944700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
11
|
Abstract
Existential anxiety is hypothesized to be a core human issue in a great deal of theoretical and philosophical writing. Fostering the empirical understanding of the expression of these concerns may be a valuable addition to the psychological literature on exposure to trauma. The purpose of this study was to test theoretical predictions about the association between different facets of existential anxiety and psychological symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicidal ideation) among individuals following a natural disaster. A sample of 386 Gulf Coast residents completed the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire, a posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist, and a measure of psychological symptoms that included an item on suicidal ideation in the months following Hurricane Katrina. The results suggested that existential concerns were prevalent in the sample and that the various facets of existential anxiety were differentially associated with psychological symptoms. These findings provide preliminary evidence for existential concerns as an important correlate of psychological distress following exposure to natural disasters and increment empirical understanding of the concept of existential anxiety.
Collapse
|