Posttraumatic symptoms and self-dysfunction as consequences and predictors of sexual revictimization

Abstract

Posttraumatic symptomatology (PTS) and self-dysfunction (SD) were examined as correlates and predictors of sexual revictimization in a prospective study of 339 college women. Both PTS and SD were associated with a history of child and adult sexual victimization. Compared to a history of child victimization, a history of adult victimization was associated with greater self-dysfunction. Both PTS and SD predicted revictimization during the study; however, self-dysfunction also predicted victimization in the absence of prior victimization. In a multivariate model, PTS did not directly predict victimization during the study, although SD mediated the relationship between PTS and victimization. Sexual victimization (child or adult) prior to the study predicted PTS, which predicted SD, which predicted victimization during the study. Findings suggest that prior child and adult victimization are directly related to later sexual victimization, and are indirectly related to later sexual victimization via the impact of PTS on SD.

PTSD as a mediator of sexual revictimization: The role of reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal symptoms

“…First, in a 2-year, three-wave longitudinal study of a national probability sample of American women, Acierno and colleagues (1999) found that PTSD predicted ASA victimization during the subsequent 2 years, albeit only when previous victimization was not in the model. Second, in a prospective study of college women, Messman-Moore, Brown, & Koelsch (2005) found that posttraumatic symptoms assessed at Time 1 were marginally higher among previous abuse victims who were sexually revictimized within the following 8 months than among previous abuse victims who were not.…”

“…The Arata (2000) and Sandberg et al (1999) studies both used the Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES; Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez, 1979), and the Messman-Moore et al (2005) study used several subscales from the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995). Both measures assess only two of the symptom clusters that currently define PTSD (intrusion and avoidance); neither assesses the third (hyperarousal) cluster.…”

Agression sexuelle et violence dans les relations amoureuses

“…La relation entre les SSPT et la victimisation au sein des relations amoureuses s'expliquerait notamment par le fait que la nature des symptômes taxerait la capacité de l'individu à cerner les situations à risque et à déployer des stratégies de protection relativement à ces situations (Arata, 2000 ;Chu, 1992 ;Orcutt, Erickson et Wolfe, 2002). Un effet médiateur des SSPT a ainsi été observé dans la relation entre l'agression sexuelle dans l'enfance et la revictimisation sexuelle à l'âge adulte (Arata, 2000 ;Messman-Moore, Brown et Koelsch, 2005). Un effet médiateur réfère ici à une variable intermédiaire qui représente le mécanisme par lequel l'agression sexuelle est associée au risque de revictimisation.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders in College Students

“…Female college students with a history of trauma report greater frequency of engagement in risky coping strategies such as using alcohol or drugs (Corbin, Bernat, Calhoun, McNair, & Seals, 2001;Krupnick, Green, Stockton, Goodman, Corcoran, & Petty, 2004;Miranda, Meyerson, Long, & Simpson, 2002) or engaging in risky sexual behaviors such as having multiple partners (Filipas & Ullman, 2006;Green et al, 2005;Norris et al, 1996). Higher levels of PTSD symptoms have also been related to revictimization (Messman-Moore, Brown, & Koelsch, 2005). These experiences are likely to worsen their symptoms further.…”

“…Surveys with college students indicate that 5.2% (70 of 1,395) of college women report sexual abuse or assault by a dating partner while in college (Harned, 2004). Prospective studies of completed rape (defined as completed oral, anal, or vaginal penetration) of college women have found rates of 3.4% (over 9 weeks; Gidycz, Coble, Latham, & Layman, 1993) and 9.5% (over 8 months; Messman-Moore, Brown, & Koelsch, 2005). College students with a history of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to be victimized while in college (Gidcyz, Coble, Latham, & Layman, 1993).…”