Sexual assault and psychiatric disorders among a community sample of women

Abstract

The authors examined the relationships between sexual assault and psychiatric disorders in a sample of 1,157 women 18-64 years old in the North Carolina site of the NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program. The results suggest that sexual assault is a risk factor for a number of psychiatric disorders. In addition, several characteristics of the assault among sexual assault victims were significantly related to one or more psychiatric disorders. However, there was no clear pattern relating characteristics of the assault to the risk of specific psychiatric disorders.

PIP: This paper examines the relationships between sexual assault and psychiatric disorders, as well as the extent to which characteristics of the sexual assault affected these relationships. Data were collected from a sample of 1157 women 18-64 years old in the North Carolina site of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program. Findings revealed that sexual assault was a risk factor for a number of psychiatric disorders but more so for some than for others. Major depression, alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were psychiatric disorders associated with sexual disorders. In addition, strong associations were seen in alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, no clear pattern relating characteristics of the assault to the risk of specific psychiatric disorders was noted. Further study employing a very large sample is recommended.