Interpersonal Trauma and Physical Health Symptoms in College Students: Mediating Effects of Substance Use and Self-Blame

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the mediating effect of two coping mechanisms (substance use and self-blame) on the relationship between interpersonal trauma (IPT) exposure and self-reported physical health symptoms in college students. Participants included 365 trauma-exposed college students. We used multigroup structural equation modeling to test our hypothesized model and to determine whether the hypothesized relationships were moderated by gender. Results indicated that IPT exposure was associated with increased substance-use coping and self-blame. These two coping mechanisms, in turn, predicted increased physical health symptoms. The results of the moderation analysis indicated no significant gender differences in the hypothesized relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• College students
• interpersonal trauma exposure
• physical health symptoms
• self-blame
• substance use

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Güler Boyraz

Güler Boyraz, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Pace University, New York City. Since completing her doctoral training at the University of Memphis, Dr. Boyraz has been conducting research on the topics of grief, loss, trauma, and health disparities. Her research aims to better understand the risk factors that increase individuals’ vulnerability to adversity, as well as the protective factors that promote positive psychological, educational, and health outcomes among vulnerable populations.

J. Brandon Waits

J. Brandon Waits, PhD, is an assistant professor of counseling psychology at Louisiana Tech University. His research interests broadly relate to positive psychology, posttraumatic stress, and substance use. He is particularly interested in understanding activities and factors that promote well-being, particularly among individuals who have experienced trauma or misused substances. Other professional interests of his include psychotherapy for grief and trauma, positive approaches to substance use treatment, couples and family therapy, and psychological assessment.