Abstract
In the present study, we examined the links between involvement in anti-sexual assault activism with post-traumatic growth and positive affect among 282 U.S. adult sexual assault survivors. We also explored potential mediators (i.e., self-blame, shame, community connection, meaning in life, trauma coping self-efficacy, and personal control) in these linkages. Results indicated that involvement in anti-sexual assault activism was positively correlated with both post-traumatic growth and positive affect. In addition, our findings revealed that involvement in anti-sexual assault activism was indirectly related to post-traumatic growth via community connection and coping self-efficacy/control (a composite variable) whereas involvement in anti-sexual assault activism was indirectly related to positive affect through meaning in life and coping self-efficacy/control. That is, more involvement in anti-sexual assault activism was related to greater community connection, more meaning in life, and greater coping/control which in turn was associated with more positive psychological functioning. Results of the present study may inform advocacy and support services and clinical interventions with survivors of sexual assault, with an emphasis on how collective action may foster positive mental health outcomes.
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Strauss Swanson, C., Szymanski, D.M. Anti-Sexual Assault Activism and Positive Psychological Functioning among Survivors. Sex Roles 85, 25–38 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01202-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01202-5