Citation

Winfield I, George LK, Swartz M, Blazer DG. Am. J. Psychiatry 1990; 147(3): 335-341.

Affiliation

Department of Sociology, Louisiana State University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2309952

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships between sexual assault and psychiatric disorders, as well as the extent to which characteristics of the sexual assault affected these relationships. Data were collected from a sample of 1157 women 18-64 years old in the North Carolina site of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program. Findings revealed that sexual assault was a risk factor for a number of psychiatric disorders but more so for some than for others. Major depression, alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were psychiatric disorders associated with sexual disorders. In addition, strong associations were seen in alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, no clear pattern relating characteristics of the assault to the risk of specific psychiatric disorders was noted. Further study employing a very large sample is recommended.

Language: en