Assessing the Impact of Online Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Victimization via #MeToo on PTSD Symptoms Accounting for In-Person Social Reactions to Disclosure

Abstract

Responses to sexual victimization disclosure play a significant role in recovery. In a sample of 138 survivors who disclosed their experience both online and in-person, the current study examined the association between online social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while accounting for social reactions to in-person disclosure and sexual victimization severity. Multivariate regression analyses indicated receiving in-person responses involving unsupportive acknowledgment, as well as receipt of online social reactions to disclosure via #MeToo that made fun, insulted, or said something to hurt the survivor were associated with increased PTSD symptoms.

Keywords: #MeToo; PTSD; disclosure; sexual assault; social reactions.