Sociocultural determinants of mental health among male sexual trauma survivors.
Saved in:
| Title: | Sociocultural determinants of mental health among male sexual trauma survivors. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Nomamiukor, Faith O. (AUTHOR), Wisco, Blair E. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Traumatic Stress. Aug2025, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p694-706. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Mental health, Sexual trauma, Societal reaction, Masculinity, Internalizing behavior, Self-reliance, Sociocultural factors |
| Abstract: | Male sexual trauma survivors are understudied compared to their female counterparts despite having a high risk for mental health difficulties. This study aimed to use structural equation modeling to examine the unique influences of sociocultural factors, specifically masculinity facets and negative social reactions upon disclosing sexual trauma, on internalizing symptoms among male sexual trauma survivors. We hypothesized that self‐reliance, emotional control, and negative social reactions would directly predict internalizing symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety and that indirect effects through self‐blame would also be significant. We also performed exploratory analyses to examine other facets of masculinity and their associations with internalizing symptoms. Prolific was used to recruit a final sample of 205 cisgender men who experienced sexual trauma. Results indicated that, as predicted, self‐blame, negative social reactions to trauma disclosure, and self‐reliance were significantly associated with worse internalizing symptoms, βs =.23–.41, p <.001‐p =.002; however, contrary to our hypotheses, no direct effects were observed for emotional control. As hypothesized, indirect effects were found such that self‐blame partially explained associations between internalizing symptoms and both self‐reliance and negative social reactions to sexual trauma disclosure, βs =.05–.06; ps =.021–035. Exploratory analyses of other facets of masculinity revealed that power over women, β = ‐.31, p =.016, was associated with lower internalizing symptoms, and winning was associated with higher internalizing symptoms, β =.21, p =.015. The findings from this study can be used to inform therapeutic interventions for this vulnerable, understudied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Traumatic Stress is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Male sexual trauma survivors are understudied compared to their female counterparts despite having a high risk for mental health difficulties. This study aimed to use structural equation modeling to examine the unique influences of sociocultural factors, specifically masculinity facets and negative social reactions upon disclosing sexual trauma, on internalizing symptoms among male sexual trauma survivors. We hypothesized that self‐reliance, emotional control, and negative social reactions would directly predict internalizing symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety and that indirect effects through self‐blame would also be significant. We also performed exploratory analyses to examine other facets of masculinity and their associations with internalizing symptoms. Prolific was used to recruit a final sample of 205 cisgender men who experienced sexual trauma. Results indicated that, as predicted, self‐blame, negative social reactions to trauma disclosure, and self‐reliance were significantly associated with worse internalizing symptoms, βs =.23–.41, p <.001‐p =.002; however, contrary to our hypotheses, no direct effects were observed for emotional control. As hypothesized, indirect effects were found such that self‐blame partially explained associations between internalizing symptoms and both self‐reliance and negative social reactions to sexual trauma disclosure, βs =.05–.06; ps =.021–035. Exploratory analyses of other facets of masculinity revealed that power over women, β = ‐.31, p =.016, was associated with lower internalizing symptoms, and winning was associated with higher internalizing symptoms, β =.21, p =.015. The findings from this study can be used to inform therapeutic interventions for this vulnerable, understudied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 08949867 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jts.23157 |
