Fear as a Mediator for the Relationship Between Child Sexual Abuse and Victimization of Relationship Violence

• NCJ Number: 230103
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Dated: December 2009 Pages: 872-885
• Author(s): Emilio C. Ulloa; Kimberly Baerresen; Audrey Hokoda
• Date Published: December 2009
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored whether fear may help explain the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and dating violence victimization.

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been identified as a predictor for dating violence victimization; however, the mechanism for this relationship is unexplored. The current study examined whether fearful dating experiences may help explain the relationship between CSA and dating violence victimization. Participants (N = 327 college women) completed self-report measures of CSA, fearful dating experiences, and dating violence. In a mediational model test, CSA was found to be positively associated with fear in dating relationships and with dating violence victimization, fear was associated with dating violence victimization, and the effect of CSA on dating violence victimization scores was reduced after controlling for fear. A Sobel's test showed that fear partially mediated the relationship between CSA and current dating violence victimization. Figure and references (Published Abstract)