Development of a Momentary Digital Intervention to Prevent Sexual Revictimization Among College Women

A Qualitative Examination of Perceived Acceptability and Usefulness

Bibliographic Data

ID22420195
AuthorsMolly Maloney (0000-0003-1873-0469, Brown University), Daniel W Oesterle (0000-0002-1379-4116, Purdue University), Niamh J Christie (0000-0002-3848-4835, Purdue University), Jennifer L Brown (0000-0002-6683-0053, Purdue University), Christopher I Eckhardt (0000-0001-6118-3611, Purdue University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-24
Publication date2026-05-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Child Sexual Abuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1053-8712 • E-ISSN: 1547-0679
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10538712.2026.2656787
PMID42157536
OpenAlexW7161787514
LanguageEN
References cited66

Sexual violence (SV) revictimization occurs at high rates among college women and is associated with numerous unique risk factors that vary from those predicting primary victimization; however, few programmatic efforts specifically target the prevention of sexual revictimization. Therefore, using ADAPT-ITT - an empirically supported multiphasic cultural adaptation framework - to guide intervention development, two primary goals of the present study include: (a) assessing the unique needs and resources required to support SV survivors post-assault; and (b) collecting survivor feedback on a momentary digital intervention to prevent sexual revictimization. Twenty-two heterosexual, cisgender women with a history of SV, past-month binge drinking, and risky sexual behavior (e.g. unprotected sexual activity) were recruited to participate in a semi-structured qualitative interview. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Thematic Analysis, with the goal of informing Phase 2 of ADAPT-ITT, during which researchers selected empirically supported content for the intervention. Qualitative thematic analysis of study transcripts yielded six themes: (a) campus cultural norms, (b) SV-related resources, (c) risky contexts, (d) what women need to know about SV, (e) intervention feedback, and (f) reasons to participate. Results suggest that college women survivors of SV support the use of a smartphone-based momentary prevention intervention that delivers protective behavioral strategies to reduce one's personal risk for revictimization. Implications for developing technology-based programmatic efforts to prevent sexual revictimization, including survivor-focused recommendations pertaining to intervention delivery, format, and post-assault needs of survivors are discussed.

Injury prevention · Poison control · Qualitative research · Sexual abuse · Sexual behavior · Suicide prevention · Thematic analysis · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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