Sleep disturbances and nightmares in victims of sexual abuse with posttraumatic stress disorder: an analysis of abuse-related characteristics
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Abstract
Background: Sexual abuse victims often experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), including sleep disturbances.
Objective: To investigate whether or not characteristics of sexual abuse are associated with
sleep disturbance, and to explore whether correlates of sleep disturbance are distinguishable from those of PTSD symptom severity.
Method: Forty-four adult sexual abuse victims seeking treatment for PTSD and sleep
disturbances completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing sleep, nightmares,
and PTSD symptoms.
Results: Age at time of sexual abuse contributed to the severity of distress associated with
nightmares, whereas the number of perpetrators contributed to the frequency of nightmares.
Sleep disturbances had different correlates compared to those of overall PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions: The present study highlighted that age at time of abuse and number of
offenders may account for variability in sleep disturbances. Exploration of characteristics
of sexual abuse could help clinicians to quickly identify who could benefit the most from
targeting nightmares and other sleep disturbances in treatment
Description
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Article
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Keywords
International Resources, Canada, sexual abuse, PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Sleep disturbances
Citation
Belleville, G., Dubé-Frenette, M., & Rousseau, A. (2019). Sleep disturbances and nightmares in victims of sexual abuse with post-traumatic stress disorder: an analysis of abuse-related characteristics. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1), 1581019.