This study investigated the association of recent risk-taking behaviors (i.e., substance use and risky sexual behaviors) and lifetime interpersonal victimization in a sample of 310 female university students. Specifically, type of victimization (sexual or physical), number of experiences (single vs. multiple), and characteristics of assault (e.g., relationship to the perpetrator) were examined. Univariate analyses indicated that experiencing single and multiple incidents of sexual assault, multiple incidents of physical assault, and both sexual and physical assaults were associated with greater involvement in risk-taking behaviors. In addition, regression analyses revealed that younger age and experiencing sexual assault were uniquely associated with involvement in risky behaviors. Examination of specific characteristics associated with risk taking among victims of sexual assault revealed that experiencing sexual assault in both childhood and adulthood, assault by a friend or acquaintance, and assault by multiple perpetrators were associated with increased involvement in risky behaviors. Implications for future research endeavors are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Brener, N. D. , McMahon, P. M., Warren, C. W., & Douglas, K. A. (1999). Forced sexual intercourse and associated health-risk behaviors among female college students in the United States.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,67(2), 252-259.
Cloitre, M. , Scarvalone, P., & Difede, J. (1997). Post-traumatic stress disorder, self and interpersonal dysfunction among sexually revictimized women.Journal of Traumatic Stress,10, 435-450.
4.
Combs-Lane, A. M. , Davis, J. L., & Smith, D. W. (2001).Interpersonal victimization history in relation to sensation seeking and risk-taking behaviors. Manuscript submitted for publication.
5.
Combs-Lane, A. M. , & Smith, D. W. (2002). Risk of sexual victimization in college women: The role of behavioral intentions and risk-taking behaviors.Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(2), 165-183.
6.
Davis, J. L. , & Lee, T. C. (1999, November).Multiple abuse or revictimization? Implications of different definitions on the impact of abuse experiences. Poster presented at the 33rd annual conference of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Toronto, Canada.
7.
Davis, J. L. , & Petretic-Jackson, P. A. (2000). The impact of child sexual abuse on adult interpersonal functioning: A review and synthesis of the empirical literature.Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal,5(3), 291-328.
8.
Duncan, R. D. , Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., Hanson, R. F., & Resnick, H. S. (1996). Childhood physical assault as a risk factor for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse: Findings from a national survey.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry,66(3), 437-448.
9.
Epstein, J. N. , Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., & Resnick, H. S. (1998). PTSD as a mediator between childhood rape and alcohol use in adult women.Child Abuse & Neglect,22(3), 223-234.
10.
Finkelhor, D. , & Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry,55(4), 530-541.
11.
Follette, V. M. , Polusny, M. A., Bechtle, A. E., & Naugle, A. E. (1996). Cumulative trauma: The impact of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, and spouse abuse.Journal of Traumatic Stress,9(1), 25-35.
12.
Frank, E. , Turner, S. M., & Stewart, B. D. (1980). Initial response to rape: The impact of factors within the rape situation.Journal of Behavioral Assessment,2(1), 39-53.
13.
Gidycz, C. A. , & Koss, M. P. (1990). A comparison of group and individual sexual assault victims.Psychology of Women Quarterly,14(3), 325-342.
14.
Hanson, K. A. , & Gidycz, C. A. (1993). An evaluation of a sexual assault prevention program. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,61, 1046-1052.
15.
Jackson, T. L. , Brown, J. M., Davis, J. L., & Pitman, L. J. (1999). The Modified Violence Attitudes Scale. In L.VandeCreek & T. Jackson (Eds.),Innovations in clinical practice: A sourcebook (Vol. 17, pp. 307-316). Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.
16.
Johnsen, L. W. , & Harlow, L. L. (1996). Childhood sexual abuse linked with adult substance use, victimization, and AIDS-risk.AIDS Education and Prevention,8(1), 44-57.
17.
Kilpatrick, D. G. , Acierno, R., Resnick, H. S., Saunders, B. E., & Best, C. L. (1997). A 2-year longitudinal analysis of the relationship between violent assault and substance use in women.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,65(5), 834-847.
18.
Kilpatrick, D. G. , Acierno, R., Saunders, B., Resnick, H. S., Best, C. L., & Schnurr, P. P. (2000). Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and dependence: Data from a national sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,68(1), 19-30.
19.
Kilpatrick, D. G. , Saunders, B. E., Amick-McMullan, A., Best, C. L., Veronen, L. J., & Resnick, H. S. (1989). Victim and crime factors associated with the development of crime related post-traumatic stress disorder.Behavior Therapy,20, 199-214.
20.
Koss, M. P. , & Dinero, T. E. (1989). Discriminant analysis of risk factors for sexual victimization among a national sample of college women.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57(2), 242-250.
21.
Koss, M. P. , Dinero, T. E., Seibel, C. A., & Cox, S. L. (1988). Stranger and acquaintance rape:Are there differences in victim's experiences?Psychology of Women Quarterly,12, 1-24.
22.
Koss, M. P. , Gidycz, C. A., & Wisniewski, N. (1987). The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of higher education students.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,55(2), 162-170.
23.
Marhoefer-Dvorak, S. , Resick, P. A., Hutter, C. K., & Girelli, S. A. (1988). Single-versus multiple-incident rape victims: A comparison of psychological reactions to rape.Journal of Inter personal Violence,3(2), 145-160.
24.
Messman-Moore, T. L. , Long, P. J., & Siegfried, N. J. (2000). The 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.Child Maltreatment,5(1), 18-27.
25.
Mullen, P. E. , Martin, J. L., Anderson, J. C., Romans, S. E., & Herbison, G. P. (1996). The long-term impact of the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children: A community study. Child Abuse and Neglect,20(1), 7-21.
26.
Murphy, S. M. , Kilpatrick, D. G., Amick-McMullan, A., Veronen, L. J., Paduhovich, J., Best, C. L., Villeponteaux, L. A., & Saunders, B. E. (1988). Current psychological functioning of child sexual assault survivors: A community study.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,3(1), 55-79.
27.
Polusny, M. A. , & Follette, V. M. (1995). Long-term correlates of child sexual abuse: Theory and review of the empirical literature.Applied & Preventive Psychology,4, 143-166.
28.
Proulx, J. , Koverola, C., Fedorowicz, A., & Kral, M. (1995). Coping strategies as predictors of distress in survivors of single and multiple sexual victimization and nonvictimized controls. Journal of Applied Social Psychology,25(16), 1464-1483.
29.
Resick, P. A. (1993). The psychological impact of rape.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,8(2), 223-255.
30.
Roth, S. , Wayland, K., & Woolsey, M. (1990). Victimization history and victim-assailant relationship as factors in recovery from sexual assault.Journal of Traumatic Stress,3(1), 169-180.
31.
Springs, F. E. , & Friedrich, W. N. (1992). Health risk behaviors and medical sequelae of childhood sexual abuse.Mayo Clinic Proceedings,67, 527-532.
32.
Walser, R. D. , & Kern, J. M. (1996). Relationships among childhood sexual abuse, sex guilt, and sexual behavior in adult clinical samples.Journal of Sex Research,33(4), 321-326.
33.
West, C. M. , Williams, L. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2000). Adult sexual revictimization among black women sexually abused in childhood: A prospective examination of serious consequences of abuse.Child Maltreatment,5(1), 57-57.
34.
Wilsnack, S. C. , Vogeltanz, N. D., Klassen, A. D., & Harris, T. R. (1997). Childhood sexual abuse and women's substance abuse: National survey findings.Journal of Studies on Alcohol,58(3), 264-271.
35.
Zierler, S. , Feingold, L., Laufer, D., Velentgas, P., Kantrowitz-Gordon, I., & Mayer, K. (1991). Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent risk of HIV infection.American Journal of Public Health,81(5), 572-575.
