The national sexual violence stigma study: An investigation of sexual violence stigma and health in a population-based sample of U.S. adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual violence (SV) is a stigmatized form of trauma and a major health risk factor. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether SV stigma is correlated with modifiable postassault health outcomes. METHOD: = 555) to assess SV stigma. The cross-sectional survey was fielded in July 2023. Measures of mental health (anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, alcohol misuse), physical health (chronic pain, frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping), and treatment-related outcomes (perceived need for treatment, stigma-related treatment preferences) were also administered. RESULTS: = 11.66). SV stigma was associated with elevations in anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, with symptom increases ranging from 6% to 9% per additional point on the stigma scale. Positive associations were also observed between SV stigma and chronic pain, frequent headaches, and difficulty sleeping (adjusted odds ratio range = 1.07-1.10). While 70% of participants wanted health care providers to address SV stigma during treatment, only 11% reported that a health care provider had ever done so. CONCLUSIONS: SV stigma is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes and may represent an important, but underaddressed, treatment target among SV survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).