Sexual coercion is a serious issue that has far-reaching consequences for individuals' physical, emotional, psychological, and relational wellbeing. It can lead to feelings of powerlessness, fear, shame, guilt, self-blame, anger, confusion, anxiety, depression, isolation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In this context, social adaptation refers to how individuals respond to their experiences of sexual coercion through various behaviors and processes aimed at minimizing its impact on their lives.
Research shows that social adaptation mediates the effects of sexual coercion on mental health, resilience, and relational functioning. Social adaptation helps individuals navigate their experience of sexual coercion by changing the way they relate to themselves, others, and the world around them.
Survivors may engage in avoidance behaviors such as withdrawal from social life or self-isolation to protect themselves from further harm. They may also develop coping strategies such as rationalization, blaming, denial, or distraction to reduce the intensity of negative emotions associated with their experience.
Some survivors may engage in self-harm, substance abuse, or other destructive behaviors to manage painful emotions or seek control over their situation. These behaviors help individuals adapt to trauma but can have long-term negative implications for their mental health and relationships.
Social adaptation can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how it is executed. Healthy social adaptation involves developing positive coping mechanisms, seeking support, and taking steps to improve one's safety and wellbeing. It entails understanding one's own needs and boundaries, communicating those clearly, setting limits, and establishing healthy boundaries with perpetrators or others who may not respect them. On the contrary, unhealthy social adaptation involves suppressing one's feelings, internalizing shame, blaming oneself, or relying too heavily on external sources of validation or approval. This approach can lead to more severe psychological consequences and make it difficult to form secure and fulfilling relationships.
Social adaptation plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of sexual coercion on mental health, resilience, and relational functioning. Survivors can use healthy coping strategies that promote healing and growth while avoiding unhelpful behaviors that exacerbate their difficulties. By understanding the complex interplay between these factors, we can better support survivors and facilitate their recovery.
How does social adaptation mediate the effects of sexual coercion on mental health, resilience, and relational functioning?
Sexual coercion is an act that involves using force or manipulation to induce another person into unwanted sex acts against their will (Bass et al. , 2015). According to research, it has been linked with a plethora of adverse outcomes such as increased risk of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse (O'Donnell et al. , 2018).