Abstract
This study contrasted the effects of intimate partner and nonpartner sexual assault on women's mental health among a sample (N = 835) of low-income, ethnically diverse community women. Compared to sexual assault by a previous partner or by a non-intimate partner, sexual assault by a current partner was the strongest predictor of PTSD, stress, and dissociation. Non-intimate partner sexual assault was only a significant predictor of PTSD and only for African American women. These findings suggest that the victim-offender relationship is important when considering the impact of sexual assault. Specifically, sexual assault perpetrated by an intimate partner may be especially traumatic.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 285-297 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Violence Against Women |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Marital rape
- Mental health
- Sexual assault
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Sociology and Political Science
- Law