Poster #196 - Social Reactions to Substance-Related Disclosures: Results from Dyadic Qualitative Interviews

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

Sexual assault (SA) impacts many women. One important factor that has been shown to be related to survivors’ outcomes is how their informal support providers (SPs) respond to survivors’ disclosures. Previous research has been dedicated to understanding disclosures, however, few studies have examined post-assault reactions from the perspective of the survivors and their informal SPs. Additionally, there is less research examining responses to substance-related SA disclosures. The current study includes 15 survivor-informal SP dyads using semi-structured, in-depth interview data that addresses this gap and examines how three relationship types: romantic partners, family, and friends differ in social reactions to substance-related SAs. Results show that alcohol/drug’s role in assaults entails a mixture of social reactions from the SP towards survivors, including negative social reactions (blaming victims for drinking), positive reactions (affirming that the drinking and/or assault were not the survivor’s fault), and mixed reactions (changing perspectives from initial blame to realizing their reaction was wrong, and becoming more supportive). Research is especially applicable to prevention education interventions that work to improve SPs’ ability to avoid negative reactions to substance-involved assaults and increase their ability to recognize and communicate that such assaults are not the survivor’s fault.

Authors

• Sarah E. Ullman, University of Illinois Chicago

• Teuta Peja, University of Illinois Chicago

• Casey Harris, University of Illinois Chicago

• Erin O'Callaghan, Colorado State University

• Veronica Canadas, University of Illinois Chicago