Factors Associated with Growth in Sexual Violence Survivors: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

Sexual violence has been defined as any sexual act perpetrated against someone’s will. Sexual violence has many negative consequences for the victims. The most prevalent mental health issue in victims is posttraumatic stress disorder. However, a new trend in positive psychology suggests that many survivors of traumatic events, in addition to negative repercussions, adapt and develop positive personal changes, i.e., Posttraumatic growth (PTG), to mitigate their impact. This review explores the literature on posttraumatic growth among survivors of sexual violence. The review follows 5 stages of Arksey and O’Malley’s framework of scoping review. 6 databases were searched using indexed terms. Approximately 65 articles were initially identified and evaluated in the preliminary search using the specified keywords. Of those retrieved, 16 met the criteria and were included in this study. Posttraumatic stress, Control over Recovery, Social Support, and Spirituality/Religiosity were the significant factors for PTG. The results suggest that fostering social support, spirituality, and a sense of control over recovery can facilitate PTG, highlighting the importance of holistic approaches in promoting resilience after trauma. Implications for practice, policy, and future directions are discussed.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) report no conflicts of interest.

Figure 1. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram for the scoping review process (Moher et al., 2009).

Illustrates the application of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) model in the systematic review process. The figure depicts the various stages of the PRISMA framework, including identification, screening, eligibility assessment, data extraction, and synthesis of studies. The flow of studies through each stage is visually represented, highlighting the systematic and organized approach to conducting a comprehensive literature review.

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.