Victim Blaming, Recovery, and Coping in Sexual Abuse Survivors

Abstract

This research investigates how victim blaming influences the psychological recovery and coping processes of survivors of sexual abuse within the frameworks of Attribution Theory, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, and Learned Helplessness. In a cross-sectional quantitative study, information was gathered from 120 users who identified as survivors together with their gender and age cohorts. Participants filled out the Social Reaction Questionnaire, Recovery Process Questionnaire, and Coping Scale. Regression analysis indicated no considerable impact of victim blaming on recovery or coping outcomes. Notwithstanding moderate feelings of victim blaming placed upon them, participants reported between moderate to high levels of recovery and coping. The results suggest that interpersonal supports coupled with internal resilience may be more pivotal than external blame in the healing process—demonstrating that while victim blaming is socially harmful, it does not determine recovery pathways alone.