Sexual Assault in Bisexual and Heterosexual Women Survivors. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sigurvinsdottir, Rannveig; Ullman, Sarah E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of bisexuality. Volume 16:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Social support -- sexual assault -- psychological outcomes -- sexual orientation -- longitudinal research -- bisexuality; Bisexuality -- Periodicals; 306.765
• DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2015.1136254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-9716

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In cross-sectional studies, social support is related to sexual minority status and negative psychological impact among sexual assault survivors. However, longitudinal studies of this relationship are few or non-existent. Using a prospective design, the authors compared bisexual and heterosexual survivors on how different types of social support are connected to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. A community sample of bisexual and heterosexual (N = 905) women sexual assault survivors completed three annual surveys. Heterosexual women reported greater perceived social support and fewer negative reactions to disclosure of sexual assault than bisexual women, but there were no differences in frequency of social contact. Perceived social support and frequency of social contact were related to fewer psychological symptoms of PTSD and depression for all women. Heterosexual women had fewer psychological symptoms than bisexual women. Finally, perceived social support mediated the relationship of sexual orientation with depressive symptoms but not with PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that social support and sexual orientation may explain women's post-assault adjustment.