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.
Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, USA.
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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