Adapting a Training to Improve Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Violence for LGBTQ+ Young Adults In the Current Political Climate

Background: LGBTQ+ emerging adults (aged 18-25 years) experience higher rates of sexual and intimate partner violence compared to cisgender, heterosexual emerging adults. Negative outcomes associated with interpersonal violence are heightened for LGBTQ+ emerging adults, due to social discrimination and stigma. While the vast majority of survivors of sexual assault disclose that experience to a friend or family member, they report receiving a range of social reactions to disclosure. Negative social reactions to disclosure exacerbate the trauma associated with sexual violence, and this is particularly true for LGBTQ+ survivors. Negative outcomes include worsened mental health symptoms, decreased utilization of formal support resources, and increased use of negative coping behaviors such as drug and alcohol use.

Methods: To improve the social reactions received by LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence, the team adapted an existing social reactions training, Supporting Survivors and Self, to be LGBTQ+ inclusive. We used theater tests with N=29 LGBTQ+ emerging adults to identify modifications to create the adapted Supporting Survivors and Self+ (SSS+). SSS+ is a 1.5 hour in-person group intervention that focuses on improving peer-to-peer responses to disclosure of sexual violence. The current aim is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the modified intervention. N=20 emerging adults were recruited to participate in the modified intervention. Inclusion criteria was being aged 18-25 and being friends with/identify as LGBTQ+. Standardized measures of acceptability, appropriateness, usability, feasibility, and program differentiation were used. Open-ended questions gathered feedback about preferences of the program.

Results: The modified program was rated high (>4 on a scale of 1 to 5) on all assessed areas. Participants reported enjoying the activities and interactions, and appreciated the hand gestures that reinforced the acronym utilized to guide social reactions to disclosure (HEARSS = Hearing, Empathy, Align, Resources, Stick with Feelings, Support Yourself). Recommendations for improvement included creating more clear instructions, adding breaks, and reducing the length of the program.

Discussion: Findings reveal modifications to the program to be LGBTQ+ inclusive were considered to be feasible and acceptable. Further evaluations of the program's impact on intentions to provide supportive social reactions will be evaluated using an RCT design. The importance of doing this type of work is paramount in the current political climate. This particular grant project was subject to illegal terminations from NIH, and only reinstated through litigation. Due to a rise in political attacks, LGBTQ+ individuals are experiencing heightened stigma, discrimination, and subsequent mental health distress. It is even more crucial that LGBTQ+ members and their allies are trained in how to respond supportively to disclosure of sexual assault.