Assessing the Role of Fear of Sexual Violence on Well-Being, Coping Mechanisms, and Social Avoidance in Women

This study examined the relationship between fear of sexual violence, social avoidance and distress, well-being, and coping mechanisms in a sample of N=133 women aged 18-29. Data was collected using the Fear of Rape Scale - Short Form (FORS), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), WHO Well-Being Index, and Brief Cope Inventory. The results revealed that 16.3% of the variance in social avoidance and distress (SADS Total Score) was explained by the predictors. Fear of sexual violence (FORS) was a significant predictor, increasing social avoidance (Estimate = 0.1672, p = 0.008), while better well-being (WHO Total Score) significantly reduced it (Estimate= -0.3589, p=0.006). The coping mechanisms measured by the Brief Cope Inventory had no significant effect (p=0.427). These findings emphasize the impact of fear of sexual violence on heightened social voidance and distress, while improved well-being can mitigate its effects.