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Sexual Health Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors: Understanding the Complexities of this Relationship Through Consideration of Peri- and Post-Traumatic Response and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Variables

Kelley, Erika L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1420369033

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Some research indicates that sexual victimization is associated with a range of negative sexual health outcomes, although little research focuses on the unique role of adolescent/adulthood sexual assault (ASA) on these outcomes or examines potential moderators and mediators of these relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ASA and sexual health outcomes, while concurrently considering the roles of childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse and other traumatic life events, and examining traumatic stress symptoms, coping strategies, sexual assertiveness, and dating relationship status and support as mediators/moderators of these relationships. A sample of college women completed surveys at baseline and again at a four-week follow-up for partial course credit. Results indicated that ASA history was not associated with sexual functioning difficulties, sexual avoidance/withdrawal, or risky sexual behaviors in the presence of other forms of trauma. However, ASA was indirectly associated with risky sexual behavior with a partner just met via dissociation and self-destructive coping, as well as lowered sexual assertiveness. The relationship between ASA and sexual avoidance/withdrawal was mediated by avoidance coping stemming from dissociation. Being in a relationship and more relationship support were associated with fewer sexual functioning difficulties among ASA victims. Additional results suggested the importance of child sexual, physical, and psychological abuse in understanding negative sexual health outcomes. In general, results point to the importance of research and treatment efforts that comprehensively address multiple forms of trauma and domains of sexual health among college women.
Christine Gidycz, Ph.D. (Advisor)
214 p.
Psychology
sexual assault; college women; sexual health; posttraumatic stress; sexual functioning

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kelley, E. L. (2015). Sexual Health Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors: Understanding the Complexities of this Relationship Through Consideration of Peri- and Post-Traumatic Response and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Variables [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1420369033

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kelley, Erika. Sexual Health Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors: Understanding the Complexities of this Relationship Through Consideration of Peri- and Post-Traumatic Response and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Variables. 2015. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1420369033.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kelley, Erika. "Sexual Health Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors: Understanding the Complexities of this Relationship Through Consideration of Peri- and Post-Traumatic Response and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Variables." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1420369033

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1420369033
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.