Correlates of African American sexual assault survivors’ medical care seeking

Abstract

ABSTRACTAfrican American women are at higher risk for sexual assault than other racial/ethnic groups and have an overall high prevalence of lifetime sexual assault. Despite elevated risk and prevalence, African American survivors are often reluctant to use services in the aftermath of sexual assault. Yet, little research has focused exclusively on African American women’s sexual assault experiences including their experiences of medical care seeking. A mail survey study was conducted in Chicago (2010–2011) to understand better African American women’s sexual assault experiences in relationship to post-assault medical care seeking in a large community sample (N = 836). Multivariable regression analyses examined whether demographics, assault characteristics, trauma history, and post-assault psychosocial factors were related to medical care seeking. Results revealed unique correlates of immediate and long-term help-seeking from a variety of medical/health sources. Being of older age and lower income, perceived life threat, and delayed disclosure were related to less medical care seeking. Survivors who were assaulted by strangers, experienced interpersonal and contextual traumas, and who received tangible aid and mixed social reactions were related to medical care seeking. Implications for research and clinical practice with this population are provided.