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Xu M, Corbeil T, Bochicchio L, Scheer JR, Wall M, Hughes TL. Childhood sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, revictimization, and coping among sexual minority women. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 151:106721. [PMID: 38479262 PMCID: PMC11104844 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared with heterosexual women, sexual minority women experience higher rates and greater severity of sexual victimization. Little is known about how childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adult sexual assault (ASA), and revictimization impact coping in this population. Few studies have examined the effects of recency, developmental stage, and revictimization on coping. OBJECTIVE To improve psychosocial outcomes following sexual victimization, it is important to understand whether different patterns of exposure differentially impact coping over time. To do so, we investigated associations between CSA, ASA, and revictimization (both CSA and ASA) and adult sexual minority women's coping strategies. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Data are from a longitudinal community-based sample of 513 sexual minority women of diverse ages and races/ethnicities. METHODS Participants reported CSA ( RESULTS High-risk (i.e., genital penetration) CSA and recent ASA were associated with more avoidant coping (compared to no CSA or no ASA). No interaction between CSA and ASA was found, but history of both CSA and ASA had a stronger effect on avoidant coping than no victimization or CSA only. CONCLUSIONS Although sexual revictimization had a stronger impact on coping than CSA or ASA only, we did not find a synergistic effect (i.e., CSA and ASA may have had stacked independent effects). History of ASA was more strongly associated with coping than CSA. Recency of sexual victimization appears especially salient to coping among sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah Xu
- Columbia University, School of Nursing, United States of America.
| | - Thomas Corbeil
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America
| | | | - Jillian R Scheer
- Syracuse University, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Melanie Wall
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- Columbia University, School of Nursing, United States of America
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Oueis J, McKie RM, Reissing ED. A Qualitative Account of Coping Following Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:414-426. [PMID: 37310380 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2220694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sexual consent among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) has not been thoroughly documented in the academic literature. Research has suggested that GBMSM incur a greater risk for experiencing non-consensual sexual experiences (NSEs) compared to heterosexual, cis-gendered men. Despite the high prevalence of NSEs impacting this population, little research has been conducted on how GBMSM cope after NSEs. The purpose of this study was to examine how GBMSM cope following NSEs. Responses were analyzed from 206 GBMSM, aged 18-77 (M = 31.84), recruited across Canada. Participants completed an online survey, answering open-ended questions on experiences of NSEs and how they coped afterward. Guidelines for thematic analysis were followed to analyze the responses, indicating that GBMSM cope both maladaptively (e.g., avoidance, withdrawal from social networks and sexual relationships) and adaptively (e.g., seeking therapy, social support) following NSEs. Some participants were affected by and needed to cope with their NSEs over a longer term (e.g., ongoing rumination, enjoying sexual and intimate relationships less). Participants used a range of coping skills and showed openness to reach out for help from formal and informal sources, but also noted that resources were not always accessible or culturally sensitive to GBMSM's needs. Responses are discussed in the context of barriers to effective coping, such as perceptions of masculinity and maladaptive sexual scripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Oueis
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa
| | - Raymond M McKie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa
| | - Elke D Reissing
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa
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Temple J, Bowling J, Mennicke A, Edwards K. Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Violence Experienced by Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults: Comparisons of Sexual and Gender Minority Recipients Versus Cisgender/Heterosexual Recipients. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024; 39:477-498. [PMID: 37728011 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231197786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence (SV). Social reactions received upon disclosure of SV impact survivors' mental health, and this may be more extreme when social reactions are provided by other SGM individuals. The purpose of the current study was to understand the SV disclosure experiences of SGM young adults, including the identity of disclosure recipients and the quality of the social reactions received by SGM and cisgender/heterosexual disclosure recipients. Additionally, the current study sought to examine how the SGM identity of the disclosure recipient and the quality of the social reactions received were associated with mental health outcomes (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and alcohol use) among SGM SV survivors. SGM-identifying participants (N = 110) completed a 10-min survey on Qualtrics that was distributed through Prime Panels. Results revealed that 83% of participants (SGM survivors of SV) disclosed their SV experience to other SGM individuals. SGM disclosure recipients provided more positive social reactions and fewer negative social reactions than cisgender/heterosexual disclosure recipients. Regression models indicated that positive social reactions from cisgender/heterosexual recipients were associated with a decrease in depression scores. Negative social reactions from SGM recipients were associated with an increase in depression scores. Unexpectedly, positive social reactions from SGM recipients, while negative social reactions from cisgender/heterosexual recipients, were associated with an increase in PTSD scores. No associations were found between social reactions and alcohol use. Findings highlight the importance of social reactions and disclosure experiences on SGM survivors' mental health and mitigation opportunities to improve these disclosure experiences.
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Flanders CE, Wright M, Khandpur S, Kuhn S, Anderson RE, Robinson M, VanKim N. A Quantitative Intersectional Exploration of Sexual Violence and Mental Health among Bi + People: Looking within and across Race and Gender. JOURNAL OF BISEXUALITY 2022; 22:485-512. [PMID: 37621766 PMCID: PMC10449096 DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2022.2116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Young bisexual people report disparities related to mental health and sexual violence compared to their heterosexual and gay/lesbian peers. However, the majority of research in these areas does not employ an intersectional design, despite evidence that health outcomes vary by race and gender within bi + populations. The goal of this paper is to provide an intersectionally-informed exploration of the prevalence of sexual violence among a diverse sample of 112 bi + people age 18-26, as well as descriptive data on stigma, mental health, and social support. Most (82%) of participants reported at least once experience of sexual violence since the age of 16. Sexual violence was positively associated with sexual stigma, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Nonbinary participants reported greater prevalence of violence, exposure to stigma, and worse mental health outcomes relative to cisgender participants. Nonbinary BIPOC participants reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than cisgender BIPOC participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey E. Flanders
- Department of Psychology and Education, Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mya Wright
- Department of Psychology and Education, Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Saachi Khandpur
- Department of Psychology and Education, Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Kuhn
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - RaeAnn E. Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Margaret Robinson
- Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Nicole VanKim
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Jaffe AE, Blayney JA, Schallert MR, Edwards ME, Dworkin ER. Social Network Changes and Disclosure Responses after Sexual Assault. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY 2022; 46:299-315. [PMID: 37637076 PMCID: PMC10449006 DOI: 10.1177/03616843221085213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Social support after sexual assault is important for recovery, but violence and recovery may also challenge relationships. We examined functional and structural social support changes following sexual assault and their association with mental health. College women (N=544) with and without a sexual assault history completed a cross-sectional survey assessing current and past egocentric social networks. Functional support (perceived global support, assault disclosure, perceived helpfulness of responses) and structural support (network density, size, retention) were examined. Multilevel models revealed that, relative to non-survivors, survivors reported smaller, less dense past networks, but similarly sized current networks. Survivors retained less of their networks than non-survivors, and network members who provided unhelpful responses to disclosure were less likely to be retained. Structural equation modeling revealed that, among survivors, perceived unhelpful responses to disclosure and a greater loss of network members were associated with worse mental health. Findings suggest that survivors may experience a restructuring of social networks following sexual assault, especially when network members respond in unhelpful ways to disclosure. Although survivors appeared to build new relationships, this restructuring was associated with more mental health problems. It is possible that interventions to improve post-assault social network retention may facilitate recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Jaffe
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
| | - Jessica A. Blayney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
| | - Macey R. Schallert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
| | | | - Emily R. Dworkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
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Flanders CE, Anderson RE, Tarasoff LA. Young Bisexual People's Experiences of Sexual Violence: A Mixed-Methods Study. JOURNAL OF BISEXUALITY 2020; 20:202-232. [PMID: 36213598 PMCID: PMC9536248 DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2020.1791300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Bisexual people are at an increased vulnerability for sexual victimization in comparison to heterosexual people, as well as gay and lesbian people. As the majority of first sexual violence experiences happen prior to age 25 for bisexual women, young bisexual people are particularly vulnerable. Despite consistent evidence of this health disparity, little is known about what factors might increase young bisexual people's risk for sexual victimization, or how they access support post-victimization. The current study addresses this gap through a mixed-method investigation of young bisexual people's experiences of sexual violence with a sample of 245 bisexual people age 18-25. Quantitative results indicate that bisexual stigma significantly predicts a greater likelihood of reporting an experience of sexual violence. Qualitative findings support that while not all participants felt bisexual stigma related to their experience of sexual violence, some felt negative bisexual stereotypes were substantial factors. Interview participants found connecting with other survivors, particularly LGBTQ+ and bisexual survivors, to be beneficial. Some participants encountered barriers to accessing support, such as discrimination in schools. Sexual violence researchers should consider bisexual stigma as an important factor, and support services the potential positive impact of bisexual-specific survivor support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey E. Flanders
- Department of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
| | - RaeAnn E. Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Lesley A. Tarasoff
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Health & Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON, Canada
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