NCJ Number
201466
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 19-48
Date Published
2002
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study explored risk factors associated with the re-traumatization of adult women survivors of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
The authors sought to discover why some adult female survivors of child sexual abuse experience further traumatic events across the lifecycle while others do not. Previous research has found a consistent and positive association between child sexual abuse and sexual assault in adulthood. There is also consistent evidence that repeat trauma has negative consequences for adult mental health. The current study examined 80 women who were participants in a longitudinal study about the effects of child sexual abuse. Three interviews were conducted with each participant; one occurred during the participants’ childhood while the two others occurred in early adulthood. Risk factors for re-traumatization were taken during interview two and were used to predict traumatic events reported at interview three. Risk factors included intrapersonal factors, such as depression and anxiety, and environmental factors and resources, such as homelessness and social support networks. In taking into account theoretical arguments for differences in risk factors based on ecological conditions, the authors analyzed married and unmarried women separately. The results revealed that homelessness and depression were positively associated with re-traumatization, while social support satisfaction was found to be a protective factor against repeated traumatic events. The finding regarding the importance of social support networks as a protective factor has implications for professionals working with survivors of child sexual abuse. Tables, references