Exploring the potential moderating role of self-compassion on the relationships between event centrality and post-assault psychological outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined whether post-assault internal processes (i.e., present control, event centrality, and compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding) were associated with distress and resilience among women who have experienced adult sexual assault. The authors also tested whether compassionate and uncompassionate self-responses would moderate the relationships between event centrality and outcomes.

METHOD: A convenience sample of women who had experienced sexual assault during adulthood (N = 253) completed an anonymous online survey.

RESULTS

Regression analyses showed that lower present control, higher event centrality, and higher uncompassionate responses to the self were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. Additionally, higher present control and higher compassionate responses to the self were associated with resilience. Moderation analyses were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Endorsing greater levels of uncompassionate responses was associated with greater distress while engaging in greater compassionate responses was associated with greater resilience, even when accounting for levels of present control and event centrality.