title: Modeling the Relationship between Trauma and Psychological Distress among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women.
abstract: This study investigated the association between cumulative exposure to multiple traumatic events and psychological distress, as mediated by problematic substance use and impaired psychosocial resources. A sample of HIV-positive and HIV-negative women were assessed for a history of childhood and adult sexual abuse and non-sexual trauma as predictors of psychological distress (i.e., depression, non-specific anxiety, and posttraumatic stress), as mediated by problematic alcohol and drug use and psychosocial resources (i.e., social support, self-esteem and optimism). Structural equation modeling confirmed that cumulative trauma exposure is positively associated with greater psychological distress, and that this association is partially mediated through impaired psychosocial resources. However, although cumulative trauma was associated with greater problematic substance use, substance use did not mediate the relationship between trauma and psychological distress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Ayesha Delany
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Brumsey
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Nataria T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Hector F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino.
authors.forename: Jodie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ullman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Gail E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Wyatt
keywords: HIV; Psychological Distress; Substance Use; Trauma