Correlates of comorbid PTSD and polysubstance use in sexual assault victims

Violence Vict. 2006 Dec;21(6):725-43.

Abstract

A diverse sample of community-residing women in a large metropolitan area who had experienced adult sexual assault was surveyed using standardized measures in an NIAAA-funded study (2003-2004). Four groups (N = 503) of victims: (1) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-only, (2) PTSD and illicit drug use, (3) PTSD and drinking problems, and (4) PTSD and polysubstance use were compared using bivariate analyses. Victims with PTSD/polysubstance use had lower socioeconomic status, more extensive trauma histories, worse current psychological functioning, more problematic post-assault psychosocial experiences, and more sexual revictimization at follow-up than those with PTSD only. Implications for future research are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chicago / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity*
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Offenses / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders*