Sexual victimization, negative cognitions, and adjustment in college women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if negative cognitions accounted for the associations of sexual victimization with depression and alcohol-related problems among first-year college women.


METHODS
Data were collected from 719 first-year college females. Structural equation modeling was used to test if negative cognitive schemas mediated the links between sexual victimization and 2 outcomes.


RESULTS
Sexual victimization was related to higher levels of depression and alcohol-related problems, and negative cognitions partially accounted for these associations. Whether or not the incident happened in a dating context did not impact on cognitions.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that preventing negative cognitions might help offset adverse consequences associated with sexual victimization.
Thompson
Martie P
MP
Center for Research and Collaborative Activities, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. mpthomp@clemson.edu
Kingree
J B
JB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017406:Sexual Harassment; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult