Emotional and Cognitive Processing in Sexual Assault Survivors' Narratives

Abstract

Sexual assault sequelae include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use. Seminal treatment models have been developed based on emotional (Foa & Kozak, 1986) and cognitive (Resick & Schnicke, 1992) theories, and determined to be efficacious. Studies also have documented the utility of Pennebaker and Beall's (1986) narrative writing paradigm for trauma- related depressive and PTSD symptoms. Recently investigations have sought to explicate its benefit, focusing on mechanisms of action. This study aimed to examine the emotional activation and cognitive processing across narrative writing sessions with undergraduate sexual assault survivors. Results revealed statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms and alcohol use, but not PTSD symptoms. Clinically meaningful and statistically significant emotional activation and habituation occurred within and across sessions. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Keywords:

• cognitive processing
• emotional processing
• sexual assault survivors
• written narrative task