Revenge Porn and Mental Health: A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Health Effects of Revenge Porn on Female Survivors
AUTHOR(S)
PUBLISHED
2017 in Feminist Criminology, Vol. 12(1), pp. 22–42
KEY FINDINGS
- Women who were the victims of revenge porn experienced a general loss of trust in relationships.
- Many women who were victims of revenge porn experienced severe and disruptive mental health effects; including, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
ABSTRACT
This study examines the emotional and mental health effects revenge porn has on female survivors. To date, no other academic studies have exclusively focused on mental health effects in revenge porn cases. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted between February 2014 and January 2015 with 18 female revenge porn survivors, and inductive analysis revealed participants’ experiences of trust issues, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and several other mental health effects.... READ FULL ABSTRACT
EXCERPTS
- "The negative mental health consequences of revenge porn for female survivors are similar in nature to the negative mental health outcomes that rape survivors experience. Rape survivors frequently experience PTSD, anxiety, and depression, all of which participants in this study experienced. In terms of coping mechanisms, participants engaged in avoidance/denial and self-medication in attempt to avoid feelings of despair and distress regarding their victimization. These coping mechanisms are commonly found among rape survivors as well"
