Abstract

The current study examines the utilization of therapy as a protective factor and alcohol use as a risk factor for racially ethnic diverse female survivors of sexual victimization against the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Irritable Depression (ID), and sexual revictimization. A sample of ethnically diverse female adult participants who endorsed sexual victimization from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) were included in the study (n = 1115). Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the probability of the predictor variables of therapy and alcohol use impacting the outcome variables and whether or not the moderating variable (i.e., racial ethnicity) changed the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables. Results suggest that individuals who endorsed higher rates of PTSD and MDD utilized therapy services more frequently, with Latinas experiencing significantly higher rates of PTSD as compared to the other groups. Sexual assault victims who met criteria for Alcohol Abuse or Dependence were significantly more likely to have experienced PTSD than sexual assault victims who did not meet criteria. The study highlights the importance of accessible mental health care to a range of ethnically diverse populations experiencing sexual victimization.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Dissertations (PsyD) -- Psychology; Minority women -- Mental health; Sexual abuse victims -- Psychology; Women alcoholics -- Mental health

Date of Award

2017

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Bryant-Davis, Thema;

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