Work

When strengths may become vulnerabilities: Reconsidering the role of social support and psychological strengths among sexual assault survivors.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Many women who experience child or adolescent sexual assault (CASA) are revictimized as adults. Although researchers have made considerable progress in understanding mechanisms that increase risk for adult revictimization, including CASA-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), few have explored factors that protect against this association. Drawing from the resilience portfolio model and prior research, this study examined perceived social support, gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism as potential strengths-based factors that may reduce revictimization risk. METHOD: Participants were 405 college women with a history of CASA who completed three assessments over 1 year. RESULTS: As expected, PTSS stemming from CASA predicted greater adult revictimization across the yearlong study period. A multidimensional approach to these data revealed that a latent psychological strengths factor including gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism predicted lower odds of revictimization among survivors with low-to-moderate PTSS, although this protective association weakened as PTSS increased. In contrast, perceived social support was unrelated to revictimization. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that psychological strengths may be protective under certain conditions, highlighting the importance of matching strengths-oriented recommendations to survivors' symptom severity. Future researchers should examine whether tailored approaches that both address posttraumatic stress and build personal strengths reduce revictimization risk and foster resilience and well-being among women CASA survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI: 10.1037/tra0002175

Authors: Shaina A. Kumar, Rebecca L. Brock, David DiLillo

Institutions: William & Mary, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Language: English

Topic: Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development