ERIC Number: EJ914807
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0361-6843
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Sexual Assault History and Health-Related Outcomes in a National Sample of Women
Ullman, Sarah E.; Brecklin, Leanne R.
Psychology of Women Quarterly, v27 n1 p46-57 Mar 2003
This study examined correlates of past-year chronic medical conditions and lifetime contact with health care professionals for mental health and substance abuse problems in women with differing histories of sexual victimization (N = 627) identified from the National Comorbidity Survey (e.g., assault in childhood, adulthood, or both life phases). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stressful life events were associated with greater odds of chronic medical conditions among women sexually assaulted in childhood only. Additional traumatic events were associated with greater odds of chronic medical conditions among victims of adult sexual assault. Older age and being married were associated with greater odds of lifetime health care professional contact for mental health/substance abuse issues among certain victim subgroups. Stressful life events were related to greater help-seeking for child victims, and traumatic events were related to greater help-seeking in adult victims. Alcohol dependence symptoms and PTSD were each associated with greater odds of lifetime health care professional contact among women victimized in both life phases, whereas depression was related to greater odds of help-seeking for women victimized in one life phase only. Psychosocial factors may play unique roles in health outcomes for women with different sexual assault histories. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Substance Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Females, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mental Health, Children, Depression (Psychology), Correlation, Health Services, Stress Variables, Age Differences, Marriage, Victims of Crime, Help Seeking, Child Abuse, Adults, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Alcohol Abuse
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A