Sexual Victimization Disclosure: A Cluster Analysis Approach to Understanding Victimization Experiences in Disclosers and Non-Disclosers.

Research has used cluster analysis to identify clusters, or groups, of sexual victimization survivors who share similar assault experiences. However, researchers have not investigated whether disclosure status is a key component of the survivors' experience. The current study identified two clusters among 174 disclosing and non-disclosing sexual victimization survivors. Cluster One (n = 74) included an incapacitated assault by a lesser-known perpetrator and disclosure of the event. Cluster Two (n = 100) included a verbally instigated assault by a well-known perpetrator and nondisclosure of the event. Follow up independent t-tests revealed that women in Cluster One had significantly higher depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than women in Cluster Two. Results support prior research identifying clusters of victimization based on assault characteristics and suggest that disclosure status is a key variable in the recovery process. Specific implications for clinicians, policy makers, and the community are discussed.

Why Do Women Talk About It? Reasons for Disclosure of Sexual Victimization and Associated Symptomology.

Many sexual victimization survivors disclose their experience; however, there is limited research investigating why women disclose this experience and how reasons relate to psychopathology. The current online study aims to further understand the experiences of 142 female survivors (aged 18-29 years) by identifying their reason for disclosure and investigating how reasons relate to self-reported depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Qualitative analyses identified two reasons: intentional and elicited disclosures. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that elicited disclosures were associated with higher PTSD symptomology than intentional disclosures above and beyond relevant covariates, suggesting that disclosure reason is an important factor in the recovery process.

Risk-Taking Propensity and Sensation Seeking in Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Risk-taking propensity and sensation seeking are developmentally meaningful traits for emerging adults, individuals ages 18 to 25 years. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of childhood abuse and neglect, exposure to domestic violence, residing with a substance abusing or mentally ill caregiver, and growing up with an incarcerated family member negatively impact the well-being of emerging adults. However, the specific association between ACEs and risk-taking propensity and sensation seeking has not been previously examined in this age group. This study aims to determine whether ACEs are individually or cumulatively related to risk-taking propensity (assessed by the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale) and sensation seeking (assessed by the Behavior Inhibition System/Behavior Approach System Scales) in a diverse sample of undergraduates, n = 436; Mage = 19.73 years (SD = 1.83 years); 67% female; 22% Hispanic. Multivariate ordinary least squares regressions were run to examine the association between ACEs and risk-taking propensity and sensation seeking. Individually, emotional abuse predicted greater inhibition (B = .28, p < .001), growing up with a mentally ill family member (B = -.12, p < .05) and emotional neglect (B = -.13, p < .05) predicted reduced motivation to pursue rewarding cues, and emotional neglect (B = -.12, p < .05) and witnessing domestic violence (B = -.10, p < .05) predicted less reward responsiveness. No cumulative effects were found. ACEs related to environmental instability may have a unique impact on sensation seeking domains in emerging adults. Clarifying the role of sensation seeking in emerging adults can contribute to better understanding of risk and resilience factors in this vulnerable population.

Why Women Are Not Talking About It: Reasons for Nondisclosure of Sexual Victimization and Associated Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression.

Disclosure of traumatic experiences is typically encouraged and associated with positive outcomes. However, there is limited research on nondisclosure of sexual trauma and consequent symptomology. This online study of undergraduate females examines reasons for nondisclosure and associated symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Of 221 participants who reported sexual victimization, 25% had not previously disclosed it. Four reasons for nondisclosure were identified: shame, minimization of experience, fear of consequences, and privacy. Nondisclosers who minimized the experience and nondisclosers low on shame reported fewer PTSD symptoms than disclosers. These findings suggest that reasons for nondisclosure are associated with symptomology.