Differing effects of partner and nonpartner sexual assault on women's mental health.
This study contrasted the effects of intimate partner and nonpartner sexual assault on women's mental health among a sample (N=835) of low-income, ethnically diverse community women. Compared to sexual assault by a previous partner or by a non-intimate partner, sexual assault by a current partner was the strongest predictor of PTSD, stress, and dissociation. Non-intimate partner sexual assault was only a significant predictor of PTSD and only for African American women. These findings suggest that the victim-offender relationship is important when considering the impact of sexual assault. Specifically, sexual assault perpetrated by an intimate partner may be especially traumatic.
Temple
Jeff R
JR
Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
Weston
Rebecca
R
Rodriguez
Benjamin F
BF
Marshall
Linda L
LL
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health