Implications of refusal to answer in sexual violence Surveys: An analysis based on sexual orientation among Mexican adolescents

Adolescents' refusal to answer questions about sexual abuse in surveys may indicate challenges in disclosure. To assess the use of missing and refusal options in a sexual abuse survey among adolescents and examine reasons for refusal. and Setting : A convenience sample of 7,329 Mexican adolescents (aged 15–18 years) participated in an online survey between April and July 2021. Sexual abuse was measured using the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tools adapted for Mexican Spanish. Participants were given the option of refusing to answer questions related to sexual abuse and were also given the opportunity to indicate their reasons for doing so. Refusal percentages were calculated, and motives were analyzed through semantic content analysis. The analysis revealed that 4.34% of the adolescents left questions blank, and 4.31% selected the refusal option. Significant differences by sexual orientation were found for both response types, with higher rates among homosexual and bisexual participants. Four categories emerged from the analysis of refusal motives: direct disclosure, indirect disclosure, discomfort when thinking about the event, and difficulties with recall. Survey responses about sexual violence differ by sexual orientation, and respect the need for control information in the report of violence events in surveys. This study underscores the importance of adaptive survey methodologies to enhance data reliability and protect participants' well-being. • Refusals to answer sexual violence surveys often mean the necessity to disclose events in different ways to standardized formats. • Sometimes participants in a survey share their information on sexual violence experiences for the first time. • Giving participants control over the disclosure process is critical. • Sexual orientations and gender minorities require special attention in research on sexual violence • It is important to provide respondents of surveys with contact information of places where they can look for attention to their needs