Association of sexual revictimization with sexuality and psychological function

J Interpers Violence. 2006 Apr;21(4):503-24. doi: 10.1177/0886260505285913.

Abstract

This study explores the associations of sexual revictimization (experiencing sexual abuse in childhood and adulthood) in a sample of 230 African American women who are low-income. Data indicate that women who experience sexual revictimization are more at risk for emotional stress and psychological pathology than women with no history of abuse. In addition, women who are revictimized appear to be at greater risk for emotional problems than women sexually abused only as a child or sexually assaulted only as adults. Revictimization also appears to be associated with an increased probability of engaging in prostitution, even higher than women with childhood- or adult-only victimization, who showed increased probability when compared to women never abused. Finally, women who are revictimized showed increased HIV risk, in that they were 4 times less likely than other women to consistently use condoms, but no more likely to be in monogamous relationships or less likely to have multiple partners.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Battered Women / psychology*
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Midwestern United States / epidemiology
  • Poverty*
  • Recurrence
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires