ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study that investigates the goals, characteristics, and relational effects of disclosure following experiences of relational abuse and image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) in a current relationship that the survivors (n = 85) would characterize as not abusive using a multiple goals framework. Findings suggest that the overwhelming majority (93%) of survivors did disclose, to some extent, their experience of relational abuse to a current partner. Less than half of the sample (45.9%) experienced IBSA, and a smaller majority of that portion of the sample did disclose it to a partner to some extent (64%). Content of the conversations and disclosures focused on how the participant felt about the abuse, rather than the specific details, triggers, and mental health impacts, everything about the abusive experience, and a focus on partner reactions. Despite the results of the qualitative analyses characterizing these disclosures as both relationally impactful and contingent on the type and severity of relational abuse, both correlation and regression analyses did not support a significant relationship between type and severity and abuse and extent of disclosure. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

摘要

本文介绍了一项探索性研究的结果，该研究调查了在幸存者 ( n = 85) 使用多目标框架将其描述为不滥用。调查结果表明，绝大多数 (93%) 的幸存者确实在某种程度上向现任伴侣披露了他们遭受关系虐待的经历。不到一半的样本 (45.9%) 经历过 IBSA，并且该部分样本中的一小部分确实在某种程度上 (64%) 向合作伙伴披露了它。谈话和披露的内容侧重于参与者对虐待的感受，而不是具体的细节、触发因素和心理健康影响，关于虐待经历的一切，以及对伴侣反应的关注。尽管定性分析的结果将这些披露描述为对关系有影响并且取决于关系虐待的类型和严重程度，相关分析和回归分析都不支持类型和严重程度与滥用和披露程度之间存在显着关系。讨论了未来研究的意义和方向。