TY - JOUR A1 - De Schrijver, Lotte A1 - Fomenko, Elizaveta A1 - Krahe, Barbara A1 - Roelens, Kristien A1 - Vander Beken, Tom A1 - Keygnaert, Ines T1 - Minority Identity, Othering-Based Stress, and Sexual Violence JF - International journal of environmental research and public health : IJERPH N2 - Background: Some (minority) groups (MGs) are more vulnerable to sexual violence (SV) exposure than others. Othering-based stress (OBS) may mediate the relationship between minority identification and SV. This study aims to assess the prevalence of SV in different MGs to explore the relationship between minority identification and SV, to investigate whether belonging to multiple MGs moderates this relationship, and to explore OBS SV moderation for different MGs. Method: Through an online survey administered to a nationally representative sample in Belgium, data was collected from 4632 persons, of whom 21.01% self-identified as belonging to a MG (SI-Minority). SV prevalence was measured using behaviorally specific questions based on the WHO definition of SV. SI-Minority participants received an additional scale on OBS. Results: SI-Minority participants reported more SV victimization compared to the non-minorities. However, this increased risk was not moderated by minority identification but linked to the socio-demographic SV risk markers common to minority individuals. Multiple-minority participants were found more at risk of SV compared to single-minority respondents. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pan-/omnisexual, asexual, and other non-heterosexual (LGB+) participants were found more at risk than heterosexual participants. OBS was found to be significantly correlated to SV in sexual and gender minorities and in cultural minorities. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between minority identification, OBS, and SV. Studying both specific and common SV vulnerabilities and outcomes within specific societal subgroups and the general population may inform policy makers when allocating resources to those interventions with the largest societal impact. KW - sexual orientation KW - poverty KW - minority health KW - sexual and gender-based KW - violence KW - rape Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074221 SN - 1661-7827 SN - 1660-4601 VL - 19 IS - 7 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - De Schrijver, Lotte A1 - Fomenko, Elizaveta A1 - Krahé, Barbara A1 - Dewaele, Alexis A1 - Harb, Jonathan A1 - Janssen, Erick A1 - Motmans, Joz A1 - Roelens, Kristien A1 - Vander Beken, Tom A1 - Keygnaert, Ines T1 - An assessment of the proportion of LGB+ persons in the Belgian population, their identification as sexual minority, mental health and experienced minority stress JF - BMC public health N2 - Background Previous studies report vast mental health problems in sexual minority people. Representative national proportion estimates on self-identifying LGB+ persons are missing in Belgium. Lacking data collection regarding sexual orientation in either census or governmental survey data limits our understanding of the true population sizes of different sexual orientation groups and their respective health outcomes. This study assessed the proportion of LGB+ and heterosexual persons in Belgium, LGB+ persons' self-identification as sexual minority, mental health, and experienced minority stress. Method A representative sample of 4632 individuals drawn from the Belgian National Register completed measures of sexual orientation, subjective minority status, and its importance for their identity as well as a range of mental-health measures. Results LGB+ participants made up 10.02% of the total sample and 52.59% of LGB+ participants self-identified as sexual minority. Most sexual minority participants considered sexual minority characteristics important for their identity. LGB+ persons reported significantly worse mental health than heterosexual persons. Sexual minority participants did not report high levels of minority stress, but those who considered minority characteristics key for their identity reported higher levels of minority stress. LGB+ participants who did not identify as minority reported fewer persons they trust. Conclusions The proportion of persons who identified as LGB+ was twice as large as the proportion of persons who identified as a minority based on their sexual orientation. LGB+ persons show poorer mental health compared to heterosexual persons. This difference was unrelated to minority stress, sociodemographic differences, minority identification, or the importance attached to minority characteristics. KW - LGBT KW - sexual orientation KW - mental health KW - minority health KW - public health KW - We have no conflict of interest to disclose Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14198-2 SN - 1471-2458 VL - 22 IS - 1 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - De Schrijver, Lotte A1 - Vander Beken, Tom A1 - Krahe, Barbara A1 - Keygnaert, Ines T1 - Prevalence of sexual violence in migrants, applicants for international protection, and refugees in Europe BT - a critical interpretive synthesis of the evidence JF - International Journal of environmental research and public health N2 - (1) Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a major public health problem, with negative socio-economic, physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health consequences. Migrants, applicants for international protection, and refugees (MARs) are vulnerable to SV. Since many European countries are seeing high migratory pressure, the development of prevention strategies and care paths focusing on victimised MARs is highly needed. To this end, this study reviews evidence on the prevalence of SV among MAR groups in Europe and the challenges encountered in research on this topic. (2) Methods: A critical interpretive synthesis of 25 peer-reviewed academic studies and 22 relevant grey literature documents was conducted based on a socio-ecological model. (3) Results: Evidence shows that SV is highly frequent in MARs in Europe, yet comparison with other groups is still difficult. Methodologically and ethically sound representative studies comparing between populations are still lacking. Challenges in researching SV in MARs are located at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, societal, and policy levels. (4) Conclusions: Future research should start with a clear definition of the concerned population and acts of SV to generate comparable data. Participatory qualitative research approaches could be applied to better grasp the complexity of interplaying determinants of SV in MARs. KW - sexual violence KW - migrants KW - refugees KW - asylum seekers KW - applicants for international protection KW - Europe KW - prevalence Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15091979 SN - 1660-4601 VL - 15 IS - 9 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - GEN A1 - De Schrijver, Lotte A1 - Vander Beken, Tom A1 - Krahé, Barbara A1 - Keygnaert, Ines T1 - Prevalence of sexual violence in migrants, applicants for international protection, and refugees in Europe BT - a critical interpretive synthesis of the evidence T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - (1) Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a major public health problem, with negative socio-economic, physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health consequences. Migrants, applicants for international protection, and refugees (MARs) are vulnerable to SV. Since many European countries are seeing high migratory pressure, the development of prevention strategies and care paths focusing on victimised MARs is highly needed. To this end, this study reviews evidence on the prevalence of SV among MAR groups in Europe and the challenges encountered in research on this topic. (2) Methods: A critical interpretive synthesis of 25 peer-reviewed academic studies and 22 relevant grey literature documents was conducted based on a socio-ecological model. (3) Results: Evidence shows that SV is highly frequent in MARs in Europe, yet comparison with other groups is still difficult. Methodologically and ethically sound representative studies comparing between populations are still lacking. Challenges in researching SV in MARs are located at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, societal, and policy levels. (4) Conclusions: Future research should start with a clear definition of the concerned population and acts of SV to generate comparable data. Participatory qualitative research approaches could be applied to better grasp the complexity of interplaying determinants of SV in MARs. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 674 KW - sexual violence KW - migrants KW - refugees KW - asylum seekers KW - applicants for international protection KW - Europe KW - prevalence Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459733 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 674 ER -