Associations Among Sexual Assault, PTSD, and Cognitive Functioning
Date
2019-08
Authors
Farley, Rachel D.
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Abstract
<p><b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of the current study was to determine if past experiences of sexual assault and current symptoms of PTSD impacted performance on measures of cognitive functioning.</p>
<p><b>Method:</b> Four-hundred and two (402) Texas State University students participated in part one of the study via Qualtrics which included measures that asked questions about PTSD symptoms, and potential sexual abuse. All participants were invited to participate in part two of the study, which included assessments of working memory and learning. Forty-one (41) individuals participated in part two of the study.</p>
<p><b>Results:</b> Past experiences of sexual assault and current symptoms of PTSD were not found to be significant predictors of poor performance on cognitive measures. Significant differences in performance on cognitive measures were not observed between groups.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> Past experiences of sexual assault and current symptoms of PTSD are not significantly associated with poorer performance on cognitive measures compared to healthy controls.</p>
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Keywords
Posttraumatic stress disorder, Sexual assault, Cognitive functioning, Stress, Memory, Working memory, Learning
Citation
Farley, R. D. (2019). <i>Associations among sexual assault, PTSD, and cognitive functioning</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.