The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adult Sexual Assault Victimization, Psychological Distress and Substance Use

dc.contributor.authorMcCollum, D.
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-01T15:48:21Z
dc.date.available2021-06-01T15:48:21Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe goal of this thesis is to explore the mechanisms underlying the association between women’s experiences of child sexual abuse (CSA) and substance use in adulthood. Specifically, I evaluated the role of CSA, adult sexual victimization (ASA) and psychological distress including symptoms of depression, perceived stress, and PTSD on substance use. Research has shown that individuals who experience CSA are more likely to experience ASA, which results in psychological distress. Individuals may engage in substance use to cope with psychological distress from CSA and ASA, consistent with the self-medication hypothesis. Women (N = 225) were recruited from Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and completed an online survey. Results indicate positive correlations between CSA, ASA, psychological distress, problem drinking, and drug use. Further, there was an indirect effect of CSA on substance use through ASA, but not psychological distress. Results highlight the importance of trauma informed care for women’s psychological distress and problem substance use.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMcCollum, D. (2021). The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adult Sexual Assault Victimization, Psychological Distress and Substance Use.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2062&context=honorstheses
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/5105
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Central Floridaen_US
dc.subjectchild sexual abuseen_US
dc.subjectlong term effectsen_US
dc.subjectsubstance abuseen_US
dc.subjectresearchen_US
dc.titleThe Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adult Sexual Assault Victimization, Psychological Distress and Substance Useen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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