Áföll, geðheilsa og uppljóstrun kynferðisofbeldis - verkefni lokið
Fréttatilkynning verkefnisstjóra
The current study aimed to longitudinally assess trauma history and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the prevalence of sexual violence in a nationally representative Icelandic sample. Furthermore, the aim was to empirically test and develop a short measure of social reactions to measure the unique and shared characteristics of online and in-person disclosures of sexual violence and others’ responses to such disclosures (social reactions), and the impact of social reactions on mental health.
This represents the first effort to longitudinally assess the interplay between traumatic experiences, social support, disclosure, and mental health in a nationally representative sample of the Icelandic population. The data collection took place in three waves: wave 1 (phone survey), waves 2 and 3 (online surveys). In wave 1 valid responses were obtained from 1.812 participants, 47.5% male and 52.5% female aged 18 to 82 years (M = 49.91, SD = 16.12), in wave 2 a total of 1.098 participants responded, and in wave 3 a total of 658 participants responded. In wave 1 the prevalence of lifetime trauma exposure was 84.3%. Males were more likely than females to have experienced accidents, cause others harm, and being victims of physical assault. Females were, on the other hand, more likely than males to have experienced sexual violence, mental, and domestic abuse. Adults experiencing four or more different kinds of traumatization (poly-traumatization) in their lifetime comprised 48.9% of the sample with them being at significantly higher risk for symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress as well as lower levels of well-being than those with fewer traumatic exposures. The prevalence of exposure to natural disasters was 34.5% and around one-third of the sample reported experiencing sexual violence, most of which (84.4%) had disclosed the experience.
The study provides important information on trauma, stress, disclosures, and mental health. Identifying cumulative and specific relationships between these issues is important to find ways to help trauma survivors and to inform policy and future interventions targeted at these at-risk groups.
∙ Information on how the results will be applied
The results will be presented to the public, students, clinicians, and social and mental health professionals with open lectures, newspaper articles, and infographics. In addition, the findings will be published in Open Access or Green Open Access scientific peer-reviewed journals and presented at international research conferences.
Results and outcomes from the study have been presented at the below forums:
Einarsdottir, Þ. S., Ásgeirsdóttir, B.B. and Sigurvinsdóttir, R., (Accepted for presentation, 2022,
November). Trauma incidence rates in different regions in Iceland and PTSD burden – focus on Natural disasters. Will be presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Publications and Publications in preparation:
Asgeirsdottir, B. B. Jonsdottir, E. K. and Sigurvinsdottir, R. Facilitators of Post-Traumatic Growth Among Survivors of Sexual Violence. Publication in preparation planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Einarsdottir, Þ. S., Asgeirsdottir, B.B. and Sigurvinsdottir, R. (accepted, 2022). Poster accepted for presentation at the International Society for traumatic stress studies (ISTSS) 38th Annual Meeting, November 9.-12. Atlanta, USA. Trauma incidence rates in different regions in Iceland and PTSD burden - focus on Natural disasters.
Einarsdottir, Þ. S., Asgeirsdottir, B.B. and Sigurvinsdottir, R. Lifetime trauma exposure among the
Icelandic population and PTSD burden. Publication in preparation planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Einarsdottir, Þ. S., Asgeirsdottir, B.B. and Sigurvinsdottir, R. Lifetime Prevalence of PTSD among
the Icelandic population: PTSD burden of gender-related violence. Publication in preparation planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Einarsdottir, Þ. S., Sigurvinsdóttir, R. and Asgeirsdottir, B.B. Gender related violence: Men’s
Conceptualization of Exposure Towards Unwanted Sexual Behaviour. Publication in preparation planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Eva Bryndís Pálsdóttir (2020). Barriers and facilitators to disclosure of sexual violence and relationship with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. MSc thesis in Clinical Psychology, Reykjavík University.
Helga Maren Hauksdóttir. (2020). The effects of social support and relationship with the perpetrator on disclosure of sexual abuse: depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among sexually abused victims in Iceland. MSc thesis in Clinical Psychology, Reykjavík University.
Jonsdottir, E. K. Asgeirsdottir, B. B., Sigurvinsdottir, R., and Ullman, S. E. Cross-Cultural Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Social Reactions Questionnaire Icelandic Version. Publication in preparation, planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Jonsdottir, E. K. Sigurvinsdottir, R. and Asgeirsdottir, B. B. Poly-Victimization: The Impact of Cumulative Trauma on Mental Health. Publication in preparation, planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Sigurvinsdottir, R. & Asgeirsdottir, B.B. (2019). Trauma experiences, post-traumatic growth and life satisfaction among male and female Icelanders. Posters presented at the International Society for traumatic stress studies (ISTSS) 35th Annual Meeting.
Sigurvinsdottir, R. Asgeirsdottir, B. B., and Arnalds, S. (2021). Breaking the silence, M. B. Heinskou, M. L., Skilbrei, K. Stefansen, (Eds.) pp. 224-240. Rape in the Nordic countries:
Continuity and Change.
Sigurvinsdottir, R., Jonsdottir, E. K. Asgeirsdottir, B. B. and Ullman, S. E. The impact of Social Reactions on Mental Health Outcomes among Survivors of Sexual Violence. Publication in preparation, planned for submission to Open Access or Green Open Access Journal.
Thelma Lind Smáradóttir. (2020). Anger, happiness and life-satisfaction among interpersonal or non
interpersonal trauma survivors in Iceland. MSc thesis in Clinical Psychology, Reykjavík University.
Valdís Ósk Jónsdóttir. (2020). Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among labor force participants in Iceland: The effects of gender, parental status, financial strain and family member support. MSc thesis in Clinical Psychology, Reykjavík University.
Heiti verkefnis: Áföll,
geðheilsa og uppljóstrun kynferðisofbeldis / Trauma, mental health and disclosures
of sexual violence
Verkefnisstjórar: Rannveig Sigríður Sigurvinsdóttir, Bryndís Björk
Ásgeirsdóttir, Háskólanum í Reykjavík
Tegund styrks: Verkefnisstyrkur
Styrktímabil: 2018-2020
Fjárhæð styrks: 41,015 millj. kr. alls
Tilvísunarnúmer Rannís: 184687
