Mental Health Symptoms and Substance Use After Recent Sexual Assault Based on Sexual Orientation.

The current study examined differences in acute stress and depression symptoms, alcohol use, and drug use between sexual minority and heterosexual survivors in the weeks following a sexual assault. The sample included 26 sexual minority and 66 heterosexual survivors (N = 92, 94.4% cisgender women, 51.1% White, and 31.5% Black) who completed screening during a follow-up mental health service after receiving a sexual assault medical forensic examination. Group differences on brief mental health and substance use screening measures were examined using χ2 tests and t tests. Sexual minority survivors reported higher acute stress symptoms and were more likely to report drug use in the past 2 weeks, but no differences in depression symptoms and alcohol use were found. Results highlight the need for increased research on sexual minority survivors' unique experiences and needs following recent sexual assault.