Prospective effects of sexual victimization on PTSD and problem drinking
June 24th, 2009 Posted by: admin
Publication year: 2009
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 19 May 2009
Cynthia J., Najdowski , Sarah E., Ullman
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and problem drinking are common and often co-occurring sequelae experienced by women survivors of adult sexual assault, yet it remains unclear whether survivors drink to cope with PTSD symptoms or whether PTSD symptoms are exacerbated by drinking. Thus, we used a cross-lagged panel design with a large (N=555), ethnically diverse sample of women assault survivors to determine whether PTSD prospectively led to problem drinking or vice versa. We also examined whether cumulative sexual victimization experiences related to greater PTSD and problem drinking. Structural equation modeling revealed that child sexual abuse was associated with greater symptoms of…
