Sexual assault, social reactions, and physical health

Abstract

This study examined the role of postassault social reactions in the association between sexual assault and physical health in a convenience sample of 155 women completing a mail survey. Regression analysis showed that tangible aid/information support and depressive symptoms were each related to poorer perceived health, whereas other positive social reactions (e.g., emotional support/validation) were related to better health perceptions. More severe (e.g., physically violent) assaults were associated with poorer current perceptions of one's physical health. Negative social reactions (e.g., distraction/discourage talking) mediated this association, suggesting that the link between assault severity and poorer health may be due to increased negative social reactions to victims of these assaults. Implications for studying the role of social reactions in relation to health consequences of sexual assault are discussed.