Prospective Changes in Attributions of Self-Blame and Social Reactions to Women's Disclosures of Adult Sexual Assault

• NCJ Number: 241796
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 26 Issue: 10 Dated: July 2011 Pages: 1934-1962
• Author(s): Sarah E. Ullman; Cynthia J. Najdowski
• Date Published: July 2011
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): 13455
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined relationships between self-blame attributions and social reactions to disclosure in a community sample of adult sexual assault victims.

Abstract

The present longitudinal study examined relationships between self-blame attributions and social reactions to disclosure in a community sample of adult sexual assault victims (N = 555). Cross-lagged panel analyses showed that neither characterological self-blame nor behavioral self-blame related to negative social reactions over the 1-year follow-up period. In contrast, characterological but not behavioral self-blame predicted fewer positive reactions over time. Although positive reactions did not reduce self-blame, negative reactions led to greater characterological, but not behavioral, self-blame during the course of the study. Thus, relationships between self-blame and social reactions were not reciprocal but rather quite complex. The effects of victims' coping strategies and sexual revictimization were also assessed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.