Post-traumatic stress disorder and identity transformation after experiences of psychological abuse: a mixed-methods approach

Psychological abuse (PA) is being associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have focused exclusively in this type of abuse. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PA and PTSD symptoms according to gender and understand the impact of severe PA in identity transformation, in a Portuguese university sample. Using a mixed-methods approach, 158 students answered an e-survey containing closed and open-ended questions. Results indicated a positive correlation between PA and PTSD symptoms. Women were significantly different from men concerning PA, contrarily to PTSD symptoms that did not present significant gender differences. The qualitative analysis revealed two different forms of adjustment, in both genders: positive—indicating personal growth—and negative changes—impacting relationships and emotional states. The more negative changes were described, the more PTSD symptoms were presented, regardless gender. Raising awareness can help young recognize themselves as victims and prevent the development of detrimental mental health status.
This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (Ref.: UIDB/PSI/01662/2020). This study was co-funded by national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology –FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education), by the
Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Portugal 2020 and
European Structural and Investment Funds, through the Regional Operational Programme
Norte (Norte 2020), under the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031898; and by the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization (COMPETE 2020), Portugal 2020, European Regional Development Fund, under the Unidade de InvestigaçãoemEpidemiologia - Instituto de SaúdePública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-045-FEDER-016867; Ref. FCT UID/DTP/04750/2019).