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

Kaitlin Walsh Carson, Sara Babad, Mahathi Kosuri, Mikell Bursky, Victoria Fairchild, Usha Barahmand, Elissa J. Brown and Valentina Nikulina
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Kaitlin Walsh Carson: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Sara Babad: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Mahathi Kosuri: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Mikell Bursky: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Victoria Fairchild: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Usha Barahmand: Psychology Department, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY 11367, USA
Elissa J. Brown: Child HELP Partnership, St. John’s University, Queens, New York, NY 11439, USA
Valentina Nikulina: Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: sexual victimization; PTSD; disclosure status; cluster analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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