Irresponsibility Stereotypes Exacerbate Effects of Sexual Violence on Cisgender Bisexual Women's Coping Drinking Motives.

OBJECTIVE: Bisexual women experience disparities in alcohol use outcomes compared to both lesbian and heterosexual women. Bisexual women also experience higher rates of sexual violence (SV) and alcohol use following SV. We examined whether coping drinking motives mediate the link between adult SV severity and alcohol use and whether dimensions of binegativity (i.e., hostility, instability, irresponsibility) moderate the effects of SV. METHOD: The sample consisted of 355 young (ages 18-35) cisgender bisexual women drinkers (Mage=25.8, 84.2% White) recruited via MTurk. Measures included: Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (Koss et al., 2007), Anti-Bisexual Experiences Scale (Brewster & Moradi, 2010), Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (Grant et al., 2007), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption subscale (Babor et al., 2001). The PROCESS macro for SPSS was used. RESULTS: There was an interaction between SV severity and irresponsibility stereotypes in predicting coping motives. SV severity related to greater coping motives at mean and high, but not low, levels of irresponsibility stereotypes. Indirect effects of SV severity on alcohol use via coping motives were significant at mean and high, but not low, levels of irresponsibility stereotypes. Hostility and instability dimensions of binegativity did not interact with SV severity in predicting coping motives. CONCLUSIONS: Results identified SV severity and irresponsibility stereotypes as compounding experiences that may explain greater alcohol use. Bisexual women exposed to this dimension of binegativity may be particularly vulnerable to drink alcohol to cope with distress following SV. Interventions for alcohol use may be enhanced by helping bisexual women cope with SV-related distress and irresponsibility stereotypes.

Validation of the Social Reactions-Online Questionnaire Among Adults Who Disclosed Online Victimization Via #MeToo.

The #MeToo movement of 2017 ushered in a wave of online disclosure of sexual victimization. The ways in which people respond to the disclosure of sexual victimization can play an important role in a survivor's recovery process. This study conducted an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) of a questionnaire aimed at characterizing the ways in which others respond to the disclosure of sexual victimization in online spaces. Participants (N = 767) were recruited via social media to participate in a study of disclosure of unwanted sexual experiences, with 25.4% (n = 195) endorsing disclosing an unwanted sexual experience online using the hashtag #MeToo and were included in analyses. Participants completed the Online Social Reactions Questionnaire (OSRQ). The questionnaire included all 16 original items from the Short Version of the Social Reactions Questionnaire (SRQ). An additional 8 items specific to online disclosure, not covered by the SRQ were added at the end, bringing the proposed OSRQ to a total of 24 items. The updated measure included the 16 original items of the Short Version of the SRQ as well as 8 additional items, for a total of 24 items. ESEM confirmed the OSRQ as a 23-item measure with a four-factor structure: (a) Turning Against+, (b) Unsupportive Acknowledgment, (c) Positive Support+, and (d) Online Sharing; model fit: χ2(186) = 387.125, p < .001, CFI = 0.976, RMSEA = 0.074 (90% CI [0.064, 0.085]), SRMR = 0.034. The OSRQ revealed excellent Cronbach's alpha (α = .93) and McDonald's Omega (ω = .93). The OSRQ represents a new measure that can be used to characterize the way in which others respond to online disclosure of sexual victimization.

Pornography Use, Perceived Peer Norms, and Attitudes Toward Women: A Study of College Men.

Men's negative attitudes toward women is a known risk factor for sexual aggression perpetration. Sexual aggression is a widespread public health concern, especially among emerging adults, and is associated with a multitude of negative consequences. The current study evaluated whether pornography-related perceived peer norms, own approval, and self-reported use are associated with negative attitudes towards women in a sample of college men. Types of pornography examined included: pornography (in general), pornography that included portrayals of bondage, whipping, and spanking but without explicit dissent (i.e., pornography that depicted bondage/physical aggression), as well as pornography consisting of sexually explicit rape depictions in which force is used. Self-report measures assessing the frequency of pornography exposure, self-acceptance of pornography use, and perceived peer norms were collected from 283 college men. A multiple linear regression model revealed that only perceived peer norms for acceptance of pornography that depicted rape was positively associated with negative attitudes toward women. Findings highlight the importance of better understanding and addressing perceived peer norms in sexual assault prevention programs for college men.

Latent profiles of social reactions to sexual assault disclosure among bisexual women.

OBJECTIVE: Bisexual women experience higher rates of sexual assault (SA) and posttrauma distress compared to monosexual women. We examined the patterns of reactions to SA disclosure (positive and two types of negative) and bisexual minority stress (antibisexual stigma from heterosexual and lesbian/gay people, internalized binegativity) experienced by young bisexual women who experienced adult SA. We also examined differences in assault-related experiences, posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms, and hazardous drinking based on the identified patterns. METHOD: The current sample was drawn from two parent samples of women and included survivors who had disclosed an adult SA: (a) n = 149 bisexual women (98% cisgender, ages 18-35, 87.9% White) recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk and (b) n = 81 cisgender bisexual women (ages 18-25, 84% White) recruited via online ads. Latent profile analyses and analyses of variance were conducted. RESULTS: Analyses identified four latent profiles characterized by: (a) low stigmatizing responses, (b) high negative SA disclosure reactions, (c) high antibisexual stigma, and (d) highest stigmatizing responses. The fourth profile had higher posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms and hazardous drinking compared to the other profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest women in the profile characterized by highest negative reactions to SA disclosure and highest bisexual minority stress (antibisexual stigma and internalized binegativity) may experience greatest distress postassault. Results highlight the importance for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to consider and address both SA-related and identity-related stigma among bisexual survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a multiple behavior change intervention addressing alcohol use, sexual risk taking, and bystander intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Prevention programs that address the intersecting health problems of risky alcohol use, unsafe sexual behaviors, and sexual violence are needed. This pilot project assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a two-session group-based intervention, Sex Positive Lifestyles: Addressing Alcohol & Sexual Health (SPLASH), targeting these highly interconnected risks for college students across genders. METHOD: A total of 217 participants (51.6% male, ages 18-24) took part in the SPLASH intervention or a nutrition/exercise control condition. SPLASH included three approaches aimed at reducing the incidence of alcohol problems, unsafe sex, and sexual victimization: normative feedback to modify misperceptions around peers' drinking, sexual behaviors, and support of bystander intervention; drinking and sexual-related protective behavioral strategy training to enhance safer drinking and sex-risk behaviors; and bystander intervention skills training to promote bystander efficacy and engagement. Participants completed baseline and follow-up (1-month and 6-month) online assessments. RESULTS: SPLASH demonstrated high acceptability and feasibility, as well as preliminary efficacy. SPLASH participants reported strong acceptability of the intervention, particularly its integrated content and interactive, in-person group format. Successful enrollment (70% randomized) and retainment point to the feasibility of recruiting students to this two-session in-person intervention. Results showed sustained trends toward more accurate perceived sex-related norms and indications of increasing bystander norms among intervention but not control participants. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the potential for SPLASH to effectively address the interrelated health risks of risky alcohol use, unsafe sex, and sexual violence on college campuses and point to the need for larger-scale studies.

Preliminary Evaluation of the SafeBAE Youth-Developed Sexual Violence Prevention Summit.

The current study evaluates a single-day youth-designed sexual assault prevention summit for adolescents. Attendees (N = 284) completed pre-and post-summit surveys addressing 1) confidence in consent knowledge; 2) perceived capability to respond to someone who was assaulted or harassed; 3) awareness of Title IX rights; 4) perceived capacity to get help for a survivor; 5) perceived acceptability of sexual coercion; 6) endorsement of belief that it is wrong to stop sexual activity once it starts; 7) perceived seriousness of sharing nude photos without permission; and, 8) perceived prevalence of false accusations of sexual violence. At post-summit, participants reported increased perceived confidence in consent knowledge, increased perceived capacity to respond to a survivor, increased awareness of Title IX rights, and increased perceived capacity to get help for a survivor. Both perceived acceptability of sexual coercion and endorsement of the belief that someone should not stop sexual activity decreased at post-summit. Findings provide preliminary support for a youth-developed sexual assault prevention summit.

Interpersonal trauma, shame, and substance use: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Interpersonal trauma is a risk factor for a wide array of adverse mental health outcomes, including substance use. Research has begun investigating the role of shame in the intersection between substance use and interpersonal trauma. The current systematic review summarizes the existing literature documenting the relation among shame, substance use, and interpersonal trauma. METHOD: Articles were collected using a Boolean search strategy of terms related to interpersonal trauma, substance use, and shame across six databases. Independent search and screening by three researchers led to a final review of 27 articles, 15 of which were qualitative studies. RESULTS: Findings highlight robust associations among shame, interpersonal violence, and substance use across varied samples. Findings emphasize that increased shame is associated with greater substance use among survivors of interpersonal violence and elevated shame and greater interpersonal violence are present among individuals who use substances given the high prevalence rates. Burgeoning research suggests that shame mediates the relationship between interpersonal violence and substance use. CONCLUSION: Results from our review suggest that shame may be an important treatment target for individuals presenting with substance use and a history of interpersonal violence. Future studies, with longitudinal designs, are needed to parse out the temporal relation among shame, substance use, and interpersonal violence.

Correlates of Sexual Victimization Among Community College Women.

The current study documents the correlates associated with the severity of sexual victimization among women enrolled in a 2-year community college. Comparisons between women with a history of severe sexual victimization (i.e., rape and attempted rape), moderate sexual victimization (i.e., unwanted contact and sexual coercion), and no history of sexual victimization revealed that women with a history of severe sexual victimization endorsed more drinks per week, increased problem drinking behavior, and more use of drug before sex and higher levels of self-protective dating behaviors compared with women with no history of sexual victimization. These findings suggest that programs should target the intersection of alcohol and drug use as correlates of sexual victimization among community college women.

Associations Among Online Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Victimization, Coping and Social Isolation.

Social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization are critical to post-assault recovery. The popular social media hashtag "#MeToo" resulted in numerous survivors of sexual victimization disclosing their experience online. Whereas previous research has examined the association between social reactions to in-person disclosure of sexual victimization and factors commonly associated with adjustment among survivors - such as coping and social support - research is needed to examine correlates of social reactions to online disclosure of sexual victimization. Accordingly, the current study investigated the relationship between online social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization via #MeToo and engagement in various coping strategies (problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping) and social isolation among a sample of 195 adults with a history of sexual victimization. Results indicated that the provision of online resources was associated with lower use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Receipt of online emotional and informational support was associated with increased use of emotion-focused coping strategies. Further, receipt of online social reactions that turned against the survivor and receipt of online social reactions that "made fun of you, insulted you, or said something to hurt you" were associated with higher levels of social isolation. Lastly, online unsupportive acknowledgment and "sharing your tweet with other people" were associated with lower levels of social isolation. Results highlight how online social reactions to disclosure of sexual victimization via #MeToo intersect with coping and social support among survivors of sexual victimization and help to give context to the experience of online disclosure of sexual victimization.

Cross-sectional examination of correlates of sexual victimization disclosure via #MeToo.

Background: Sexual victimization is a serious public health problem, with a range of negative impacts on mental and physical health. Responses that individuals get to disclosure of sexual victimization play an important role in recovery. With the increased use of social media, more survivors are talking about their experiences of sexual victimization online. Research is needed to document the correlates of online disclosure of sexual victimization.Objective: The current study examined the role of demographic characteristics, assault severity, coping strategies, and social isolation as putative correlates of disclosing sexual victimization online via the hashtag #MeToo.Methods: A sample of 637 adults recruited via social media who reported a history of sexual victimization since the age of 14 completed self-report surveys using online survey software to assess disclosure of sexual victimization, assault severity, coping strategies, and social isolation.Results: Multivariate analyses suggest that levels of emotion-focused coping were positively associated with the disclosure of sexual victimization online via #MeToo. Further, individuals who had experienced completed rape by verbal coercion were less likely to disclose via #MeToo, compared to individuals who experienced other forms of assault.Conclusion: Coping strategies and assault severity play an important role in determining whether survivors disclose sexual victimization online via #MeToo. Findings suggest that individuals may disclose via #MeToo to seek support or express their emotions. Further, individuals whose sexual victimization experiences do not conform to 'typical' sexual victimization experiences are less likely to disclose via #MeToo.

HIGHLIGHTSGreater reported use of emotion-focused coping is associated with an increased likelihood of disclosing via #MeToo.Individuals who experienced completed rape by verbal coercion were less likely to disclose via #MeToo, compared to individuals who experienced other forms of assault.Findings highlight the need to further investigate correlates of disclosure via #MeToo.

The impact of exposure to physical and sexual violence on opioid consequences among trauma-exposed individuals recruited from the community who use opioids.

Interpersonal violence and opioid use disorder are significant and intersecting public health concerns in the USA. The current study evaluated the consequences associated with opioid use (e.g., physical, social, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and impulse control) as a function of a history of exposure to interpersonal trauma, specifically physical and sexual violence. Participants were 84 trauma-exposed individuals recruited from the community who use opioids (M age = 43.5 50% men; 55% white). Whereas no significant differences emerged in the consequences of opioid use based on a history of physical violence, individuals with a history of sexual violence demonstrated higher levels of impulsive consequences of opioid use compared to individuals without a history of sexual violence. These data highlight the importance of considering the role of exposure to sexual violence in the context of opioid use disorder treatment.

Timing of Sexual Assault Disclosure: A Study of College Women.

The present study examined correlates of immediate (within 48 h) and delayed (after 48 h) sexual assault disclosure among a sample of 83 college women who experienced sexual victimization since age 14. The use of physical resistance and experiencing a "freeze response" was positively associated with delayed disclosure. Identifying the perpetrator as a friend/acquaintance, compared to a was a romantic partner, increased the likelihood of immediate disclosure. Other individual characteristics (i.e., assault characteristics, a history of childhood sexual abuse, attitudes towards seeking help, and sexual assertiveness) and microsystem-level characteristics (i.e., perceived social support) did not impact the timing of disclosure.

Gender equitable attitudes as a significant mediator of bystander intentions among sexual minority adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Bystander intervention is a promising approach for prevention of sexual violence. Assessing factors that may promote or hinder bystander intervention among sexual minority adolescents (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer) is essential, given high rates of violence among sexual minority youth. Prior research examining barriers and facilitators of bystander intervention intentions does not consider how factors may vary by sexual identity. As such, the current study aimed to (1) examine how barriers and facilitators of bystander intentions, bystander intentions, and bystander behavior vary between heterosexual and sexual minority high school adolescents and (2) explore mediators of the association between sexual identity and bystander intervention intentions. We proposed that students' level of school connectedness, gender equitable attitudes, and anticipated positive consequences of bystander intervention (e.g., having a moral desire to help) would promote bystander intervention intentions, whereas binge drinking, and students anticipated negative consequences of bystander intervention (e.g., fear for one's own safety) would tend to weaken bystander intervention intentions. METHODS: Participants included 2,645 10th grade students (Mage = 15.37, SD = 0.61) recruited from high schools in the Northeast United States. RESULTS: Sexual minority youth reported higher bystander intentions, bystander behavior, anticipated positive consequences of bystander intervention, gender equitable attitudes, and binge drinking relative to heterosexual youth. Sexual minority youth had lower school connectedness than heterosexual youth. Anticipated negative consequences of bystander intervention did not vary by group. Parallel linear regression analyses found that only anticipated positive consequences of bystander intervention and gender equitable attitudes fully mediated the relationships between sexual identity and bystander intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Bystander intervention programs may benefit from attending to specific facilitators of bystander intervention among sexual minority youth, such as gender equitable attitudes.

Online Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Victimization via #MeToo and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Sexual victimization is a major public health concern with significant consequences for survivors, their families, and society at large. Studies examining in-person disclosure of sexual victimization suggest that the way others respond to disclosure has a significant impact on survivors' well-being. With the advent of social media, more survivors are choosing to disclose their experience online. Research is needed to understand how social reactions to online disclosure of sexual victimization impact survivors. Accordingly, the current study examined the association between online social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a sample of 195 individuals who disclosed their experience online via the hashtag #MeToo. Symptoms of PTSD were positively associated with the level of assault severity reported by the survivor, as well as receipt of online social reactions to disclosure via #MeToo that made fun, insulted, or said something to hurt the survivor. Online social reactions to disclosure via #MeToo that involved turning away from the survivor or providing unsupportive acknowledgment of the experience were unrelated with PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were also not associated with the receipt of positive online social reactions to disclosure via #MeToo. Like research addressing in-person social reactions to disclosure of sexual victimization, some forms of online negative social reactions to disclosure of sexual victimization via #MeToo appear to be associated with worse psychological outcomes among survivors. Thus, online disclosure of sexual victimization and its impact needs to be attended to in clinical and research settings.

Trauma-Related Shame Mediates the Associations Between Self-Blame, Bisexual Minority Stress, and Rape-Related PTSD Symptoms.

Bisexual women experience higher rates of rape and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence compared to heterosexual and lesbian women. In addition, bisexual women experience unique antibisexual stigma and minority stress, which are associated with post-trauma outcomes. The aim of the current study was to test trauma-related shame as a mechanism in the relations of self-blame and bisexual minority stress (i.e., antibisexual stigma and internalized binegativity) with rape-related PTSD symptom. The sample consisted of 192 cisgender bisexual women (ages 18-35 years) who reported an experience of rape since the age of 18. Results from path analysis conducted in Mplus indicated that trauma-related shame mediated the link between self-blame and rape-related PTSD severity, as well as the links from antibisexual stigma and internalized binegativity to rape-related PTSD severity. There was also an indirect serial effect from antibisexual stigma to internalized binegativity to shame to PTSD severity. Thus, findings highlight the mechanistic role of trauma-related shame in rape-related PTSD symptoms. We identified two risk pathways: (a) general/universal risk from self-blame about rape and shame to PTSD severity and (b) group-specific risk from bisexual minority stress and shame to PTSD severity. Results indicate that reducing trauma-related shame may be an important target to improve post-rape outcomes. Finally, stigma associated with rape and sexual violence as well as antibisexual stigma must be eradicated to improve post-trauma outcomes among bisexual survivors.

The Impact of Physical and Sexual Violence on Opioid Consequences among Trauma- exposed Individuals Recruited from the Community who Use Opioids.

Interpersonal violence and opioid use disorder are significant and intersecting public health concerns in the United States. The current study evaluated the consequences associated with opioid use as a function of history of interpersonal trauma, specifically physical and sexual violence. Participants were 84 trauma-exposed individuals recruited from the community who use opioids (M age = 43.5 50% men; 55% white). Whereas no significant differences emerged in the consequences of opioid use based on a history of physical violence, individuals with a history of sexual violence demonstrated higher levels of impulsive consequences of opioid use compared to individuals without a history of sexual violence. These data highlight the importance of considering the role of sexual violence in the context of opioid use disorder treatment.

Risk factors for perpetrating sexual aggression among adolescents: Differences by gender and sexual orientation.

Although anyone-regardless of gender or sexual orientation-can perpetrate sexual aggression, most studies examining risk factors for engaging in sexual aggression include samples of boys and men, and do not consider the sexual orientation of the respondent. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by examining how risk factors for sexual aggression vary as a function of gender and sexual orientation in a sample of 1782 high school youth. Participants completed surveys evaluating engagement in consent behaviors, rape myth acceptance, perception of peer rape myth acceptance, perceived peer engagement in violence, and perceived peer support for violence. A one-way MANOVA found that constructs varied as a function of gender and sexual orientation. Specifically, heterosexual boys reported lower engagement in consent behaviors, higher rape myth acceptance, and higher perceived peer support for violence compared to heterosexual girls and sexual minority girls. The results highlight the importance of considering gender and sexual orientation when designing sexual aggression prevention programs.

Enhancing distress tolerance to uplift motivation in recovery: Results from an open development trial.

Objective: This open pilot study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and qualitative outcomes of an interactive web- and text message-delivered personalized feedback intervention aimed at cultivating motivation and tolerance of distress for adults initiating outpatient buprenorphine treatment. Methods: Patients (n = 10) initiating buprenorphine within the past 8 weeks first completed a web-based intervention focused on enhancing motivation and providing psychoeducation on distress tolerance skills. Participants then received 8 weeks of daily personalized text messages that provided reminders of salient motivational factors and recommended distress tolerance-oriented coping skills. Participants completed self-report measures to assess intervention satisfaction, perceived usability, and preliminary efficacy. Additional perspectives were captured via qualitative exit interviews. Results: In total, 100% of retained participants (n = 9) engaged with the text messages throughout the entire 8-week period. Mean scores of 27 (SD = 5.05) on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at the end of 8-week period indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the text-based intervention. The average rating on the System Usability Scale was 65.3 at the end of the 8-week program, suggesting that the intervention was relatively easy to use. Participants also endorsed positive experiences with the intervention during qualitative interviews. Clinical improvements were observed across the intervention period. Conclusions: Preliminary findings from this pilot suggest that the content and delivery method of this combined web- and text message-based personalized feedback intervention is perceived by patients as feasible and acceptable. Leveraging digital health platforms to augment buprenorphine has potential for high scalability and impact to reduce opioid use, increase adherence/retention to treatment, and prevent future incidence of overdose. Future work will evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in a randomized clinical trial design.

Role of blame and rape-related shame in distress among rape victims.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly prevalent among rape victims. Both blame (self-blame and victim-blaming responses to rape disclosure) and shame are frequently elevated among rape victims and contribute to PTSD and depression. However, it is unclear which type of shame is relevant. The aim of the current study was to examine the indirect effect of self-blame and victim blame on PTSD and depression via rape-related shame and general shame, in the presence of shame proneness and rape characteristics. METHOD: Online questionnaires were completed by 229 women who experienced adult rape and had disclosed to at least one person. RESULTS: Findings revealed distinct patterns for PTSD and depression. For PTSD, there was a significant indirect effect of victim blame (and self-blame) via rape-related shame but not via general shame. In contrast, for depression, there was a significant indirect effect of victim blame (and self-blame) via both rape-related shame and general shame. CONCLUSION: Results emphasized the importance of considering the type of shame (i.e., rape-related shame and general shame) when explaining PTSD and depression among women who experienced rape. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Characterizing Intimate Partner Violence in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global health concern. Numerous research studies document increases in IPV since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Despite this widespread recognition, research around the nature of this violence is still growing. This systematic review summarizes the existing literature documenting the prevalence and characteristics of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclusion criteria are as follows: reported original data empirical study, assessed for IPV among adult population in the United States, and was published in English between December 2019 and March 2022. A total of 53 articles were then independently reviewed and sorted into four thematic subcategories: victimization, perpetration, articles addressing victimization and perpetration, and provider perspectives. Studies document consistent increases in the prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration. Providers within agencies providing support to individuals impacted by IPV also documented increased strain on the agencies.