Positive or negative change in outlook on life following sexual assault and associations to PTSD severity

In a sample of female victims of sexual assault (n = 122) this study examined the possibility of a positive or negative change in outlook on life 3 and 12 months following the assault and associations to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The majority of women reported a negative change or no change in outlook on life following the sexual assault. The group of women who reported a negative outlook on life 3 months following the sexual assault had a significant higher level of PTSD severity 12 months following the assault. More research is needed to enhance our understanding of the causal relationship between life changes and psychological distress following sexual assaults.