Citation

Arata CM. Child Maltreat. 2000; 5(1): 28-38.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11232060

Abstract

Women with histories of child sexual abuse (N = 221) participated in a study designed to test a model for predicting adult/adolescent sexual revictimization and post-assault functioning. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires regarding their sexual victimization history, post-sexual assault symptoms and attributions, and consensual sexual behavior. Repeated victimization was defined as having experienced child sexual abuse and a separate incident of adolescent/adult victimization. Repeated victimization was associated with having experienced child sexual abuse involving physical contact, including intercourse and/or penetration. Women with repeated victimization engaged in more self-blame, reported higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms, and reported more high-risk sexual behavior. A path model was developed that indicated that the relationship between revictimization and child sexual abuse was mediated by self-blame, post-traumatic symptoms, and consensual sexual activity. The results suggest the need for further research on revictimization as well as suggesting areas for intervention to prevent sexual revictimization.

Language: en