Campus Sexual Violence: The Impact of Disclosure on Mental Healt

A mixed methodological approach was used to examine the impact of disclosure characteristics on mental health among individuals who have experienced campus sexual violence occurring at Christian and non-religiously affiliated universities. After completing an online survey, a sample of 97 participants qualified for the study. No disclosure and disclosure to both formal and informal sources were related to more symptomatic distress when compared with informal disclosure only. High positive informal reactions were also associated with more symptomatic distress among survivors disclosing to both formal and informal sources. Additionally, initial disclosure latency was negatively correlated with symptomatic distress. Implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed.