Search

Sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses that affects students of all genders. Following sexual trauma, students often report greater mental health problems, substance use, and in some cases revictimization. However, positive disclosure experiences have been shown to facilitate greater positive outcomes for victims. While research has focused extensively on the consequences of sexual trauma, few studies have focused on the process of healing. The current qualitative interview study assessed facilitators and barriers to healing following an unwanted sexual experience (USE) and examined participants' views about their own healing process. The sample was comprised of female (n = 15) and male (n = 2) college students who self-identified as having a history of USEs. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the techniques of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings showed that students recognized more barriers to healing than facilitators of the healing process. However, having a positive disclosure experience and good social support were identified as the most beneficial facilitators of healing following a USE, and many of the barriers noted were factors that interfered with positive disclosure experiences and seeking and receiving social support. Finally, participants viewed healing as a highly individual and active process, suggesting that survivors must create their own path for healing and should never give up on the healing process. These findings emphasize the need for education and training to improve interpersonal communication among professionals, families, and peers in order to change conversations and stigma about USEs., Author(s): Julie A. Gameon [sup.1] , Amanda N. Lahiere [sup.1] , Monica C. Skewes [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.41891.35, 0000 0001 2156 6108, Department of Psychology, Montana State university, , [...]

Rural Indigenous communities in Alaska suffer staggeringly high rates of suicide. In close-knit Alaska Native villages, each suicide leaves a trail of affected family and community members in its wake. This research aimed to understand community perceptions of what causes suicide in rural Alaska Native villages and generate recommendations for prevention strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Alaska Native university students who moved from rural villages to an urban area to attend college. All had been profoundly affected by others' suicides and shared their beliefs about causal factors and recommendations for prevention efforts. Perceived causes included resistance to seeking help or discussing personal problems, loss of culture, traumatic experiences, geographical and social isolation, lack of opportunity, substance abuse, and exposure to others' suicides. Participants believed that suicide is preventable and recommended multi-level approaches to address suicide disparities. They provided recommendations for potentially effective and culturally appropriate prevention strategies, including increasing cultural and social connections, educating community members about mental health, and increasing accessibility of counseling services/reducing barriers to mental health services utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]