Prospective Effects of Sexual Victimization on PTSD and Problem Drinking

Authors

Cynthia J. Najdowski, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Sarah E. Ullman, The University of Illinois at Chicago

Author ORCID Identifier

Cynthia Najdowski: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3624-9188

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.05.004

Abstract

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 PTSD and problem drinking and intervening sexual victimization was associated with greater symptoms of PTSD and problem drinking 1 year later. We found no evidence, however, that PTSD directly influenced problem drinking over the long term, or vice versa. Rather, experiencing revictimization during the study predicted survivors’ prospective PTSD and problem drinking symptoms. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Comments

Najdowski, C. J., & Ullman, S. E. (2009a). Prospective effects of sexual victimization on PTSD and problem drinking. Addictive Behaviors, 34, 965-968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.05.004

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Najdowski, Cynthia J. and Ullman, Sarah E., "Prospective Effects of Sexual Victimization on PTSD and Problem Drinking" (2009). Psychology Faculty Scholarship. 24.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/psychology_fac_scholar/24