Roles of Self-Efficacy, Social Support and Gender on Psychological Resilience among Survivors of Sexual Assaults

Abstract

Resilience is a process, capacity, or outcome in which individuals succeed in adaptation in spite of challenges and threats. It is central to the well being of persons who experienced trauma. Yet studies investigating the construct with regards to the survivors of sexual assaults are scarce. The study was a survey, with cross-sectional design. It was designed to investigate the impacts of self-efficacy, social support and gender on psychological resilience of survivors of sexual assaults. 77 victims of sexual assaults (male = 38; female = 39) aged between 12-38years (mean age = 19.42; SD = 6.50) who visited a Sexual Assaults Referral Center in Anambra State for treatment, who voluntarily indicated interest, were studied. Data was collected using Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) and Social Provision Scale (SPS). Multiple Regression was used to test the hypotheses. The results of the analysis show that self-efficacy and social support significantly predict psychological resilience. In addition, findings showed that gender was not a significant predictor of psychological resilience. The implication of the findings is that qualitative social network and resilience-enhancement would facilitate quick recovery after trauma-exposure, especially sexual assaults. Discussion further highlights the importance of psychosocial support in the management of survivors of sexual assaults.