Comparing incarcerated and college student women with histories of childhood sexual abuse: The roles of abuse severity, support, and substance use.

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is often a risk factor for negative psychological and psychosocial outcomes. For example, some studies find that survivors of CSA are at an increased risk for experiencing involvement with the criminal justice system (e.g., incarceration). To examine the relationship between CSA and incarceration outcomes in women, data were obtained from 169 inmates and 420 college students, a number of whom were survivors of some form of CSA (66.0% and 35.5%, respectively). Results suggested that incarcerated survivors had more severe CSA experiences, more psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress), and endorsed more coping difficulties and problematic family functioning relative to college student survivors. In addition, incarcerated survivors were from more impoverished backgrounds and more frequently had experienced involvement with child protective services (e.g., being in foster care) relative to college student survivors. Further, results of logistical regression suggested that the severity of CSA, current social support adequacy, and problematic substance use emerge as significant predictors of incarceration among CSA survivors. Of the many variables that differ between female inmates and college student survivors, findings indicated that more severe abuse, substance use, and lack of social support may be considered especially important risk factors for incarceration. These findings may aid in the refinement of interventions, prevention efforts, and educational programs regarding CSA and shed light on predictors of incarceration among this high risk group.

Safer in Jail? A Comparison of Victimization History and Psychological Adjustment Between Previously Homeless and Non-Homeless Incarcerated Women

“…Although some studies found an association between child abuse and later homelessness (e.g., Herman, Susser, Struening, & Link, 1997;Stein, Leslie, & Nyamathi, 2002) or incarceration (e.g., Asberg & Renk, 2013), others did not find a direct link between child abuse and future homelessness , however. Nonetheless, child sexual abuse (CSA) is linked to a variety of risky behaviors among women (see Senn, Carey, & Vanable, 2008, for a review), including homeless women's reports of having traded sex (Simons & Whitbeck, 1991) and having experienced sexual assault (Heslin, Robinson, Baker, & Gelberg, 2007), suggesting the importance of examining victimization experiences.…”

“…Consistently, the majority of incarcerated women also are mothers (e.g., Asberg & Renk, 2013;Scott & Dennis, 2012;Wildeman, 2009), with these women being more likely (relative to men) to be homeless prior to incarceration (see Nickel, Garland, & Kane, 2009, for a review). Such circumstances, in addition to the negative impact of maternal incarceration on children's functioning (Cho, 2010;see DeHart & Altshuler, 2009, for a review; Nickel et al, 2009;Raeder, 2012), present additional challenges for women.…”

Cumulative Sexual Victimization and Mental Health Outcomes Among Incarcerated Women

“…Most experts agree that an accurate estimation is about 50% (Asberg & Renk, 2012;Gilfus, 2002;Heney & Kristiansen 1998;Marcus-Mendoza & Wright, 2003;McClellan, Farabee & Crouch, 1997;Zlotnick, 1997), compared to a rate in the general population of about 30% (Asberg & Renk, 2012;Heney & Kristiansen, 1998).…”

“…Incarcerated women are more likely to be involved with mental health services before incarceration and have more psychological problems than women in the community (Asberg & Renk, 2012;Bloom, Owen & Covington, 2004). Nationally, about 18% of the American population suffers from a mental illness (SAMSHA, 2014).…”

The state of evidence-based parenting interventions for parents who are substance-involved

“…The picture for these parents is complex, however, as childhood maltreatment and trauma also are common, particularly for those parents who are involved with child welfare systems (15) and/or who have been incarcerated (e.g., (16,17)). In other words, childhood maltreatment experiences are related closely to substance misuse in adulthood (e.g., (18)).…”