Correlates of comorbid PTSD and drinking problems among sexual assault survivors

Numerous studies show that sexual assault victims are likely to develop PTSD and have a greater risk of drinking problems than nonvictims. However, little is known about what differentiates survivors with PTSD only from those with comorbid PTSD and drinking problems. In this study, a large, diverse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2006, Vol.31 (1), p.128-132
Main Authors: Ullman, Sarah E., Filipas, Henrietta H., Townsend, Stephanie M., Starzynski, Laura L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Alcohol use
Alcoholism - epidemiology
Alcoholism - psychology
Assaults
Comorbidity
Crime Victims - psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drinking problems
Female
Humans
Life Change Events
Middle Aged
Morbidity
Post traumatic stress disorder
PTSD
Regression Analysis
Risk Factors
Sex crimes
Sex Offenses - psychology
Sexual assault
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Survey
Women
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Summary:Numerous studies show that sexual assault victims are likely to develop PTSD and have a greater risk of drinking problems than nonvictims. However, little is known about what differentiates survivors with PTSD only from those with comorbid PTSD and drinking problems. In this study, a large, diverse sample of community-residing women who had experienced adult sexual assault was surveyed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify pre-assault, assault, and post-assault factors differentiating survivors with PTSD only from those with PTSD and drinking problems. Results showed that survivors with less education, histories of other traumas, who blamed their character more for the assault, believed drinking could reduce distress, drank to cope with the assault's effects, and received negative social reactions were more likely to have comorbid PTSD and drinking problems than those with PTSD only. Implications for future research and treatment with sexual assault victims are discussed.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.04.002