NCJ Number
210306
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 1274-1290
Date Published
December 2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study investigated whether previous life stressors influenced current traumatic stress symptoms in women who were sexually abused during their childhoods.
Abstract
Given that previous research has suggested strong links between childhood sexual abuse, trauma symptoms during adulthood, and life stressors, the current study examined the relationships between trauma symptoms and two types of life stressors: (1) stressful life events during the previous 6 months, and (2) sexual revictimization after 17 years of age. It was hypothesized that both of these life stressors would be associated with more trauma symptoms. Participants were 58 women recruited by advertisements in newspapers and other sources; participants self-reported experiences of childhood sexual abuse and met criteria for current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Structured interviews assessed PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms, sexual revictimization as an adult, and recent life stressors. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that recent life stressors were associated with PTSD symptoms, as well as acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms and other trauma-related symptoms. Sexual revictimization was only associated with trauma-related symptoms, not with PTSD or ASD symptoms. The findings provide support for the sensitization model in which an initial traumatic event puts an individual at risk of becoming symptomatic following future stressful life events. Future research should focus on untangling the causal relationships between traumatic events, life stressors, and trauma symptoms. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. Tables, references