Steven L. Bistricky

Women’s first disclosure experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) can be an important predictor of mental health over time, though mechanisms of this phenomenon are not well understood. One possibility is that IPV survivors’ expectations of how disclosure receivers will react, if violated, could influence PTSD symptoms by way of affecting IPV survivors’ self-compassion and perceived social support. As a preliminary step to evaluate this causal model, the present study examined a cross-sectional retrospective prototype of the model. Women ( n = 296) who previously disclosed their IPV experience completed an online survey of measures assessing recalled expectancy violations (REVs) that occurred during disclosure interactions, self-compassion, perceived social support, and PTSD symptoms. Mediation analyses tested hypothesized interrelations of REVs in the first disclosure, self-compassion, perceived social support, and PTSD symptoms. Hypothesized indirect effects of negative REV extent on PTSD symptom severity via self-compassion and perceived social support were found. These cross-sectional findings were consistent with the hypothesized prototype model but could not address directionality of effects. Many participants reported REVs that occurred many years before this study, which could threaten validity. Thus, if a parallel relationship pattern is found in future longitudinal research pre-and post-disclosure, it would suggest that in the context of first disclosures of IPV, the valence and intensity of REVs could plausibly influence survivors’ mental health by way of effects on and through survivors’ self-compassion and perceived social support.

Physical injury events can lead to significant distress, but early psychosocial intervention may promote coping and prevent the development of psychopathology. This study evaluates a pilot program built upon a partnership with a U.S. Level 1 trauma center to serve these purposes. It aimed to (a) identify demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who engaged in therapy as an indicator of who such a program can serve and (b) evaluate the program's feasibility by examining patients' reported mental health-related changes and feedback about the program. The program provided 4-6 weeks of flexible, trauma-informed, patient-tailored, cognitive behaviorally oriented psychotherapy that emphasized trauma psychoeducation, coping self-efficacy, and self-compassion to facilitate symptom reduction, psychological growth, and preparation for transitioning to longer term trauma-focused therapy when appropriate (i.e., stepped care). Of the 149 patients referred to the program, 38 engaged in therapy, and 16 completed pre- to postsurveys including open-ended items soliciting feedback about the program and validated quantitative measures. Patient feedback responses were subjected to thematic analyses related to facets of feasibility. Patients' feedback included suggestions and appreciation of the program's accessibility and flexibility as well as evidence supporting the program's feasibility, in terms of acceptability, demand, and limited-efficacy testing. Relatedly, substantial quantitative improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, coping self-efficacy, self-compassion, and posttraumatic growth were observed. This work demonstrates the potential utility of brief stabilization therapy programs to meet postinjury psychosocial needs, and it highlights successes and challenges that may inform the development and implementation of future programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).