Abstract
When examining sexual assault, researchers rarely focus on male survivors (Tewksbury, 2007). Some researchers suggest that men are hidden from the literature due to rape myths, male role norms, and men's unwillingness to report sexual assault (Courtenay, 2011; Donnelly & Kenyon, 1996; Struckman-Johnson & Struckman-Johnson, 1992). A mixed-methods procedure, using a concurrent triangulation strategy, was used to examine 10 research questions related to the psychological and physical health of 27 male survivors. Quantitative results showed that belief in male role norms contributed to physical health concerns (e.g., r(22) = -.65, p = .001). With regards to psychological health concerns, being self-reliant contributed to experiencing more anxiety, r(23) = .52, p = .01, being socially unhealthy, r(23) = -.63, p = .001, and experiencing lower self-esteem, r(23) = -.57, p = .005. Self-esteem was found to be correlated with disability, r(23) = -.42, p = .05, mental health, r(23) = .51, p = .01, and social health, r(23) = .53, p = .01. Self-efficacy was associated with physical health, r(21) = .61, p = .003, disability, r(21) = -.49, p = .03, and psychological health (e.g., r(21) = .73, p = .000). Key qualitative themes of survivors included: the impact of gender role expectations and of male rape myths, psychological outcomes, and adaptive and maladaptive coping skills. This study helps to clarify how protective factors can assist survivors when coping with sexual assault, as well as adds to a much-needed area of the literature to increase understanding of men's experiences.