Childhood Abuse and Sexual Revictimization in a Female Navy Recruit Sample

• NCJ Number: 204521
• Journal: Journal of Traumatic Stress Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: April 1999 Pages: 211-225
• Author(s): Lex L. Merrill; Carol E. Newell; Cynthia J. Thomsen; Steven R. Gold; Joel S. Milner; Mary P. Koss; Sandra G. Rosswork
• Date Published: April 1999
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and childhood physical abuse (CPA) and sexual revictimization in a sample of 1,887 female Navy recruits.

Abstract

Previous research has revealed that female victims of CSA are at an increased risk for adult sexual victimization. Despite the substantial evidence supporting the relationship between CSA and adult sexual revictimization, little information exists on factors that mediate the relationship between CSA and adult revictimization. As such, the authors surveyed 1,887 female U.S. Navy recruits to better discern the relationship between CSA, CPA, and adult sexual revictimization. The authors analyzed the extent to which alcohol and number of sexual partners contributes to the prediction of sexual revictimization. Ethnic differences in risk for sexual revictimization were also explored. Test instruments used for the study included a demographic questionnaire, the Conflict Tactics Scales, Parent-Child Version, the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, the Sexual Events Questionnaire, and the Sexual Experiences Survey. Results of statistical analyses indicated that over 35 percent of the participants had been raped and 57 percent had experienced either CSA or CPA. The authors also analyzed the separate and joint effects of CSA and CPA on adult rape. The interaction between CSA and CPA was not significant and although CSA remained a significant predictor of adult rape, CPA did not. Further, an examination of the effects of alcohol and number of sex partners on the prediction of adult sexual revictimization indicated that both variables predicted adult rape, but their effects were independent of the effects of CSA. Finally, although ethnic differences were noted in the prevalence of victimization, the predictors of adult rape did not vary across ethnic groups. The high prevalence of sexual victimization, childhood or adulthood, indicates a strong need for effective sexual assault prevention and treatment programs in civilian and military communities. Tables, references