Childhood abuse and sexual revictimization in a female Navy recruit sample

To examine effects of childhood abuse on adult rape, 1,887 female Navy recruits were surveyed. Overall 35% of recruits had been raped and 57% had experienced childhood physical abuse (CPA) and/or childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Controlling for CPA, rape was significantly (4.8 times) more likely among women who had experienced CSA than among women who had not. In contrast, CPA (controlling for CSA) was unrelated to likelihood of adult rape. Alcohol problems and number of sex partners were examined as mediators. Although both variables predicted rape, their effects were independent of the effects of CSA. Finally, despite ethnic group differences in the prevalence of victimization, the predictors of rape did not differ significantly across ethnic groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved.)
Author: 
Merrill,Lex L.
Newell,Carol E.
Thomsen,Cynthia J.
Gold,Steven R.
Milner,Joel S.
Koss,Mary P.
Rosswork,Sandra G.
Notes: 
LA- English AN- 1999-05695-001
Reprint Status: 
IN FILE
Start Page: 
211
End Page: 
225
Journal/Periodical Name: 
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume: 
12
Issue: 
2
Abstract: 
The authors surveyed 1,887 female Navy recruits in order to examine the effects of childhood abuse on adult rape. A total of 35% of recruits had been raped and 57% had experienced childhood physical abuse (CPA) and/or childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Controlling for CPA, rape was significantly (4.8 times) more likely among women who had experienced CSA than among women who had not. In contrast, CPA (controlling for CSA) was unrelated to likelihood of adult rape. The authors included alcohol problems and number of sex partners as mediators in their models. Although both variables predicted rape, their effects were independent of the effects of CSA. Finally, despite ethnic group differences in the prevalence of victimization, the predictors of rape did not differ significantly across ethnic groups.
Topic Areas: 
Military; prevalence; risk; survivors
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
326
Publication Date: 
1999