How childhood sexual abuse disclosure response practices shape survivors' psychological wellbeing

Child sexual abuse disclosure is shaped by interpersonal and systemic responses, yet less is known about how survivors' retrospective perceptions of these responses relate to adult psychological distress. Clarifying these associations is important for informing trauma-informed practice.

This exploratory study examined associations between disclosure response experiences and current psychological distress among Australian adult survivors of child sexual abuse (N = 101). Participants completed an online survey including an 11-item Disclosure Response Experiences Scale and a standardised measure of psychological distress. Brief open-ended responses were included to provide contextual depth regarding how participants understood and described disclosure experiences. Quantitative data were analysed using multiple and simple linear regression, and open-text responses were analysed descriptively.

Disclosure-response variables accounted for 24.3% of the variance in current psychological distress scores. Feeling safe and believed during disclosure showed the clearest associations with lower distress. Supportive responses, opportunities for emotional expression, feelings of relief, and respect for privacy were also associated with lower distress scores. Perceived loss of control was not significantly associated with distress in the quantitative analyses, although qualitative responses suggested that lack of control remained important to participants' accounts of disclosure experience.

Retrospective perceptions of disclosure responses were associated with adult psychological distress. Participants' descriptive comments also highlighted the perceived importance of trauma-informed, child-centred, and relationally safe responses. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and may help inform future hypothesis-driven research and practice development.