Psychosocial Consequences of Sexual Assault on Women: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Women are at a higher risk of sexual assault, partly due to societal sexism. This scoping review addresses the question: What is known about the psychosocial consequences of sexual assault on women? To understand these impacts, various studies were reviewed. Searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycArticles, and PsycINFO between April and May 2022. The methodology followed Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework. PRISMA guidelines were used for screening and the Scoping Reviews Checklist was employed to ensure the quality of the review process. As a result, 1744 studies were identified, and 21 were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, with publication years ranging from 1997 to 2021. The total sample of women analyzed across these studies was 20,071 (M = 955.76; σ = 2236.53). These 21 studies examined the psychosocial consequences of sexual assault on women's lives. The primary psychosocial outcomes identified were depressive symptoms (n = 13), anxiety symptoms (n = 11), post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 11), alcohol dependence (n = 6), and sleep disorders (n = 3). In conclusion, this review enhances our understanding of the effects of sexual assault on women and identifies areas for future research to further understand and address this phenomenon. This work can ultimately guide efforts to improve the well-being of survivors.