Citation

Orchowski LM, Gidycz CA. Violence Against Women 2015; 21(7): 803-823.

Affiliation

Ohio University, Providence, RI, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801215584068

PMID

25926138

Abstract

A prospective design was utilized to explore the impact of social reactions to sexual assault disclosure among college women who experienced sexual victimization over a 4-month academic quarter. Women completed baseline, 4- and 7-month assessments of symptomatology, beliefs about why sexual assault occurs, victimization, and social reactions to sexual assault disclosure. Accounting for symptomatology or beliefs reported prior to the assault, positive social reactions were not associated with victims' subsequent symptomatology or beliefs. However, accounting for symptomatology or beliefs reported prior to the assault, higher negative social reactions were associated with victims' post-assault reports of hostility, fear, and beliefs about why sexual assault occurs.

Language: en