Pain in the Acute Aftermath of Stalking: Associations With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Depressive Symptoms, and Posttraumatic Cognitions

Violence Against Women. 2020 Sep;26(11):1343-1361. doi: 10.1177/1077801219857829. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined whether posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, posttraumatic cognitions, and ongoing cyberstalking exposures were independently associated with changes in pain outcomes among 82 young adult women with recent exposure to stalking. Multilevel models indicated that higher sensory pain intensity and pain-related interference were associated with more negative cognitions about the self. Higher affective pain intensity was associated with higher posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Cyberstalking exposures were not associated with pain intensity or pain-related interference. Results reveal persistent pain complaints in recent stalking victims and highlight distinct psychological risk factors for pain intensity and pain-related interference.

Keywords: pain; psychosocial risk factors; stalking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events / statistics & numerical data
  • Cognition*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Pain / epidemiology*
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Risk Factors
  • Stalking / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult