This study uses Kraemer’s approach for nonrandom comorbidity to identify the parameters
of revictimization among women, using a diverse, population-based sample. Participants
(n = 11,056) are from the California Women’s Health Survey. Women were asked about childhood
and adult violence and current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression,
and anxiety. Logistic regressions adjusted for age, ethnicity, education, and poverty
indicate that women who experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse were 5.8 (95%
confidence interval, 5.2–6.4) times more likely to experience adult physical or sexual
victimization. Revictimization affected 12% of women, and these women were substantially
more likely to report current symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD than women
exposed to violence only in childhood or only as an adult. Revictimization is a methodologically
distinct concept and is a potent risk factor for adult mental health problems. Prevention
should target women exposed to both physical and sexual assault.
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Biography
Rachel Kimerling, PhD, is a Research Clinical Psychologist at the National Center for PTSD and an Investigator at the Center for Health Care Evaluation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. She is also the Co-Director of the Military Sexual Trauma Support Team, VA Office of Mental Health Services.
Biography
Jennifer Alvarez, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Health Care Evaluation, at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine. Her current interests include the epidemiology and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma and the dissemination of empirically supported treatments for trauma-related disorders.
Biography
Joanne Pavao, MPH, is a Research Health Scientist at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. She is an epidemiologist whose research interests emphasize the health, mental health, and economic consequences of violence against women.
Biography
Amy Kaminski, MS, is a PhD candidate at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and a research assistant at the National Center for PTSD.
Biography
Nikki Baumrind, PhD, MPH, is currently the Chief of the Office of Adult Research at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 28,
2006
Received in revised form:
October 5,
2006
Received:
August 18,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
