The mediating effect of world assumptions on the relationship between trauma exposure and depression

J Interpers Violence. 2011 Aug;26(12):2499-516. doi: 10.1177/0886260510383033. Epub 2010 Sep 9.

Abstract

The association between trauma exposure and mental health-related challenges such as depression are well documented in the research literature. The assumptive world theory was used to explore this relationship in 97 female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed trauma history, world assumptions, and depression severity. Regression analyses revealed that diminished world assumptions mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and depression severity. As predicted, this relationship held for interpersonal forms of trauma, whereas noninterpersonal forms of trauma were related neither to diminished world assumption nor to depression severity. This suggests that our conceptual system of relating to the world, our core beliefs that comprise our assumptive world, may be challenged in the face of human-induced trauma, increasing our risk for developing adverse psychological outcomes such as depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Offenses / psychology
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult