Child sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use: predictors of revictimization in adult sexual assault survivors.
This study examined the unique effects of child sexual abuse simultaneously with post-traumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, problem drinking, and illicit drug use in relation to sexual revictimization in a community sample of female adult sexual assault victims. Participants (N=555) completed two surveys a year apart. Child sexual abuse predicted more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in adult sexual assault victims. Posttraumatic stress disorder numbing symptoms directly predicted revictimization, whereas other post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal) were related to problem drinking, which in turn predicted revictimization. Thus, numbing symptoms and problem drinking may be independent risk factors for sexual revictimization in adult sexual assault victims, particularly for women with a history of childhood sexual abuse.
Department of Criminology, Law, & Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60607-7140, USA. seullman@uic.edu
Sarah E
SE
Ullman
Cynthia J
CJ
Najdowski
Henrietta H
HH
Filipas
D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult