An Examination of Disclosure, Mental Health Treatment use, and Posttraumatic Growth Among College Women Who Experienced Sexual Victimization

ABSTRACT

Few investigations have sought to identify factors associated with posttraumatic growth among survivors of sexual victimization. The present study examined the relationship between posttraumatic growth, disclosure, and mental health treatment use following sexual assault. Undergraduate female psychology students (N = 85), who reported a prior history of sexual victimization, completed measures assessing trauma exposure, posttraumatic growth, disclosure, and mental health treatment use. Results revealed that degree of disclosure of the assault to support sources and mental health treatment use following sexual assault was related to increased posttraumatic growth. Findings have valuable implications for treatment interventions for survivors of sexual trauma.

KEYWORDS:

• Posttraumatic growth
• sexual victimization
• disclosure
• mental health treatment use

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christina M. Hassija

Christina M. Hassija, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at California State University, San Bernardino. Her research focuses on identifying risk and resilience factors in posttraumatic adjustment and evidence-based interventions for trauma-related distress, particularly among interpersonal violence populations.

Jessica A. Turchik

Jessica A. Turchik, PhD, is a psychology researcher at the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System and Stanford University. Her research focuses on sexual trauma, sexual risk-taking behaviors, and measurement development.