Correlates of comorbid PTSD and polysubstance use in sexual assault victims.
A diverse sample of community-residing women in a large metropolitan area who had experienced adult sexual assault was surveyed using standardized measures in an NIAAA-funded study (2003-2004). Four groups (N = 503) of victims: (1) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-only, (2) PTSD and illicit drug use, (3) PTSD and drinking problems, and (4) PTSD and polysubstance use were compared using bivariate analyses. Victims with PTSD/polysubstance use had lower socioeconomic status, more extensive trauma histories, worse current psychological functioning, more problematic post-assault psychosocial experiences, and more sexual revictimization at follow-up than those with PTSD only. Implications for future research are discussed.
Ullman
Sarah E
SE
Criminal Justice Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60607, USA. seullman@uic.edu
Townsend
Stephanie M
SM
Starzynski
Laura L
LL
Long
LaDonna M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders