From child victim to adult victim: a model for predicting sexual revictimization.
Women with histories of child sexual abuse (N = 221) participated in a study designed to test a model for predicting adult/adolescent sexual revictimization and post-assault functioning. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires regarding their sexual victimization history, post-sexual assault symptoms and attributions, and consensual sexual behavior. Repeated victimization was defined as having experienced child sexual abuse and a separate incident of adolescent/adult victimization. Repeated victimization was associated with having experienced child sexual abuse involving physical contact, including intercourse and/or penetration. Women with repeated victimization engaged in more self-blame, reported higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms, and reported more high-risk sexual behavior. A path model was developed that indicated that the relationship between revictimization and child sexual abuse was mediated by self-blame, post-traumatic symptoms, and consensual sexual activity. The results suggest the need for further research on revictimization as well as suggesting areas for intervention to prevent sexual revictimization.
Arata
C M
CM
Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires