Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lilly, Michelle

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

Perceived social support is a well-established buffer between trauma exposure and adverse outcomes like PTSD. One important aspect of this relationship may be that individuals with strong support networks may be more likely to discuss (“self-disclose”) the traumatic event to members of their support network. Two important aspects of self-disclosure that impact its potential for symptom alleviation following trauma exposure may be: 1) the discloser’s perceived response of the disclosure recipient and 2) whether the trauma-exposed individual repeatedly dwells (co-ruminates) on the traumatic event with the recipient in an unproductive manner. In recent years, a different type of traumatic event has been identified – one that violates an individual’s deeply held moral code. These potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) can lead to a syndrome called moral injury which includes symptoms such as guilt, shame, and self-condemnation. Preliminary evidence suggests that self-disclosure may help to alleviate adverse mental health outcomes in those exposed to PMIEs. The aim of the present study was to build on this preliminary evidence by examining the impact of PMIE self-disclosure on symptoms of moral injury in a sample of first responders. Specifically, the present study examined whether response to disclosure (positive versus negative or nonvalidating) and co-rumination impact the benefits gained from disclosing. Analyses revealed that first responders met with negative responses to disclosure had significantly higher moral injury symptoms than those met with positive responses and those who did not disclose. However, exploratory analyses also found that part of the protective effect of self-disclosure may be at least in part explained by perceived social support in general. Significant and null findings are discussed.

Extent

103 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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