Stigma as a barrier to addressing childhood trauma in conversation with trauma survivors: A study in the general population

Abstract

Victims of childhood trauma report shame and anticipation of stigma, leading to non-disclosure and avoidance of help. Stigma is potentially aggravating the mental health consequences of childhood trauma. So far there is no comprehensive study examining stigma toward adult survivors of various forms of childhood trauma, and it is unclear whether stigma interferes with reaching out to affected individuals. In a vignette study based on a representative sample of the German general population (N = 1320; 47.7% male) we randomly allocated participants to brief case vignettes pertaining to past childhood sexual/physical abuse or accidents, and adult physical abuse. Stigma was elicited by applying the Social Distance Scale, assessing respondents’ attitudes/stereotypes toward the persons in the vignette and their reluctance to address the specific trauma in conversation. While one aim was to establish the prevalence of stigma toward persons with CT, we hypothesized that attitudes differ according to type of trauma. Of the respondents, 45% indicated they were unlikely to reach out to a victim of childhood sexual abuse, 38% to a victim of childhood physical abuse, 31% to someone reporting a childhood accident and 25% to someone reporting adult physical abuse. Contrary to our expectations, childhood sexual abuse did not consistently elicit more stigma than childhood physical abuse in Krukall-Wallis tests. Equally, childhood interpersonal trauma did not consistently elicit more stigma than childhood accidental trauma. Structural equation modeling revealed social distance as mediator of the relationship between negative stereotypes and reluctance to address childhood trauma in conversation. Our analyses further revealed an ambiguous role of negative stereotypes in addressing childhood trauma in conversation with trauma victims, which has yet to be examined. There is evidence for stigma associated with having survived childhood trauma, which is interfering with offering help.

Association between childhood maltreatment and social functioning in individuals with affective disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…There is a need to deal appropriately with histories of CM in the context of treatment 146 . Social correlates of CM, such as difficulties in forming safe and trusting bonds or a therapeutic alliance, could worsen as a result of such negative experiences, leading to poor help‐seeking and social withdrawal 147 . Thus, psychoeducation on both AD diagnosis and the potential consequences of CM could be especially helpful for these patients.…”

‘Life should go on’: a qualitative inquiry of parental reactions, experiences, and perceived needs following adolescents’ recent traumatic exposure

“…The representation of a ‘victim’ was that of a person who finds some kind of complacency in their situation, taking advantage of the attention and arrangements brought by this situation, while lacking the willpower and sense of responsibility deemed necessary to be able to ‘move on’. This stigma around the ‘victim’ status may reflect a broader societal representation around victims of sexual abuse and lead to internalized stigma in survivors, increasing their feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame, perpetuating their post-traumatic symptoms, and mediating their long-term adverse outcomes (Coffey et al, 1996 ; Gibson & Leitenberg, 2001 ; Schomerus et al, 2021 ). It is important for health professionals to be aware of the impact of stigma and shame around the victim status, and to address it clinically through an honest conversation with parents about social representations surrounding sexual assault survivors, and how these stereotypes can be deleterious and prevent them from seeking support.…”

Exposure to Intimate-Partner Violence and Resilience Trajectories of Adolescents: A Two-Wave Longitudinal Latent Transition Analysis

“…To address and improve prevalence rates of family violence, it is necessary for various stakeholders to be involved. Caregivers, educators, and professionals should understand the negative impact of stigma and shame on children and adolescents who have experienced parental violence, as this affects their reporting [89]. Furthermore, governments have a crucial role to play in preventing and responding to family violence through policies, legislation, and funding.…”