Transdiagnostic psychopathology mediates the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in adulthood.
Exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with elevated rates of mental disorders, sexual risk behavior, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adulthood. Mental disorders themselves are associated with an increased risk for HIV/AIDs and STIs as well, and thus may mediate the association between CSA and HIV/AIDS and other STIs. The links among CSA, disorders, and STIs are unclear, however. The current study tested the hypothesis that the association of CSA with STIs is mediated by adult transdiagnostic psychopathology. We examined the potential mediating role of transdiagnostic psychopathology factors-internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT)-in the association between CSA and receiving a past-year diagnosis of HIV, AIDS, or another STI in a large, national probability sample of adults (N=34,653). Using indirect effects modeling, we found that 54.4% of the association between CSA and subsequent HIV/AIDS/STI diagnosis operated through transdiagnostic psychopathology. The proposed mediation model was supported, indicating that individuals reporting CSA had higher estimated levels of latent general liabilities for INT and EXT disorders, and it was largely these liabilities that accounted for the link between CSA and heightened risk of adult HIV, AIDS, and STI diagnoses.
Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA. Electronic address: jessicalatack@gmail.com.
Jessica A
JA
Latack
Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA. Electronic address: craig.rodriguez.seijas@gmail.com.
Craig
C
Rodriguez-Seijas
New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Malka
M
Stohl
New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Carlos
C
Blanco
New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Deborah S
DS
Hasin
Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA.
Nicholas R
NR
Eaton
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011599:Psychopathology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D063189:Symptom Assessment