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. 2021 Aug;57(6):1052-1064.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-020-00732-2. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

Caught by Connections: The Mediating Roles of Social and Community Support after Interpersonal Violence

Melanie D Hetzel-Riggin  1 , Kameron Landers  2 , Sinara Hinton  2 , Hannah Heukeshoven  2
Affiliations

Caught by Connections: The Mediating Roles of Social and Community Support after Interpersonal Violence

Melanie D Hetzel-Riggin et al. Community Ment Health J. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential mediating roles of different sources of social support and sense of community on the relationship between interpersonal violence and mental health outcomes, negative posttraumatic cognitions, and posttraumatic growth. Participants (n = 459) completed an online survey. Interpersonal violence had a significant, direct effect on all posttraumatic outcomes. Support from significant others mediated the relationship between interpersonal violence and posttraumatic stress. Both support from family and a negative sense of community mediated the relationship between interpersonal violence and posttraumatic cognitions, while social support from friends and family and a positive sense of community mediated the relationship between interpersonal violence and posttraumatic growth. The results suggest that posttraumatic distress and growth may be impacted by different connection sources.

Keywords: Interpersonal violence; PTSD; Posttraumatic growth; Resilience community; Social support.

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