Revictimization of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: An Examination of the Adjustment of College Women With Child Sexual Abuse, Adult Sexual Assault, and Adult Physical Abuse

• NCJ Number: 181613
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 18-27
• Author(s): Terri L. Messman-Moore Ph.D.; Patricia J. Long Ph.D.; Nicole J. Siegfried Ph.D.
• Editor(s): Mark Chaffin
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the adjustment of 633 women who experienced revictimization, multiple adult victimizations, single adult victimization, child sexual abuse only, or no victimization.

Abstract

The study sample was selected from introductory psychology classes, and participants ranged in age from 17 to 49 years. Data were obtained using the Life Experiences Questionnaire, the Modified Sexual Experiences Survey, the Conflict Tactics Scale, and a self-report inventory designed to assess current psychological symptoms. Somatization, depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were examined. Results supported the cumulative effect of trauma but did not indicate differential effects for child to adult revictimization. Women with revictimization and multiple adult assaults reported more difficulties compared to women with only one form of adult abuse or no victimization. Women with child sexual abuse only reported similar symptoms as revictimized women. Women with multiple adult assaults reported higher levels of distress than non-abused women and appeared somewhat more likely to experience anxiety and PTSD-related symptoms compared to women with only adult abuse. Women with adult assault only and no abuse reported similar levels of distress. 51 references and 2 tables