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Still Rising: Predictors of African American Women's Posttraumatic Growth After Sexual Assault
Sarah E Ullman1, Thema Bryant-Davis2, Carol M Lazo2
1University of Illinois Chicago.
Traumatology
|March 6, 2026
Summary
Social support and more traumatic events increase posttraumatic growth (PTG) in African American women survivors of sexual assault. Characterological self-blame was linked to lower PTG over three years.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Trauma research is evolving to include multicultural, feminist, and strength-based perspectives.
- The focus is shifting from solely Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to include distress and growth factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine factors influencing changes in posttraumatic growth (PTG) over three years.
- Investigated background and post-assault factors in African American adult women survivors of sexual assault.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of a community sample (n=506) of African American adult women survivors of sexual assault.
- Mixed model regression analyses were used to assess changes in PTG over three years.
Main Results:
- Increased social support and a higher number of traumatic life events were significantly associated with increased PTG.
- Higher levels of characterological self-blame were associated with lower average PTG.
- Seeking counseling, behavioral self-blame, and time were not significant predictors of PTG changes.
Conclusions:
- Social support and cumulative trauma exposure are key factors in posttraumatic growth for this population.
- Culturally responsive interventions should consider these factors to support survivors' growth.
- Characterological self-blame may hinder posttraumatic growth, suggesting a need for targeted therapeutic approaches.
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