Avoidant coping as a mediator between self-reported sexual abuse and stress-related symptoms in adolescents

This study investigated to what extent the more severe consequences of sexual trauma in adolescents are mediated by coping strategies. Furthermore, this study explored differences in symptoms, self-esteem and coping in a group that reported sexual abuse, in a group that reported another stressful experience, and in a group that reported no stressful episode until now.

Nine-hundred seventy adolescents aged 11-19 years were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing traumatic symptoms (Trauma Symptom Checklist, Briere, 1996); self-image (Self-Description Questionnaire II, Marsh, 1990) and coping (How I Cope Under Pressure Scale, Ayers, Sandler, West, & Roosa, 1996).

Seventy-two percent of the participants reported a lifetime prevalence of a stressful event. Participants who reported sexual abuse (10%) reported more traumatic symptoms and more avoidant coping strategies than the adolescents who reported another type of stressful event. Results revealed that avoidant coping is a mediator between sexual abuse and the severity of symptoms.

Sexually abused adolescents exhibited more symptoms and used more avoidant coping strategies than adolescents in the other groups. Avoidant coping can be seen as a mediator between a sexual stressful event and the consequent stress-related symptoms. Results reveal the importance of assessment and consideration of coping strategies in prevention and in therapeutic interventions.