Examining the impacts associated with technology-facilitated sexual violence: A mixed methods approach

Numerous cases of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) exemplify potentially tragic outcomes for victims including stress, anxiety, depression, and negative social/occupational consequences. A mixed methods approach was used to integrate survey data (N = 337) with interview data (N = 10) to gain a more in-depth understanding of TFSV victimization impacts for men and women as well as to examine the predominant feminist perspective in TFSV research. In addition, quantitative survey data (N = 521) were used to evaluate the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) in the context of TFSV victimization. The objective was to analyze the mechanisms underlying the relationship between TFSV victimization and suicidality, exclusively accounting for mediating factors of interpersonal victimization, depression, perceived burdensomeness (PB), and thwarted belongingness (TB). Results revealed several major themes that emerged among victims of TFSV including the mistrust of others, a continued sense of a loss of control, and fear of future repercussions stemming from the victimization. Pathway results showed that TFSV victimization increased suicidality serially through bullying, depression, and PB – suggesting a cascade of victimization experiences. TB was not a significant mediator.