Work

Alcohol‐involved assault and the course of PTSD in female crime victims

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Although alcohol use has been associated with increased risk of victimization, little is known about how victim substance use at the time of assault may affect posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom development. The present study is a longitudinal examination of substance use on PTSD symptom severity and course. A community sample of female crime victims (n = 60) were assessed within 5 weeks of sexual or physical assault with 3 and 6 month post-assault follow-ups. Twenty-three participants had consumed alcohol or alcohol/drugs prior to the assault (38%) and 37 had consumed neither alcohol nor drugs. Analyses were conducted using hierarchical linear modeling. Participants who had consumed alcohol had lower initial intrusive symptoms, but their symptoms improved less over time.

Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress

DOI: 10.1002/jts.20542

Authors: Debra L. Kaysen, Kristen P. Lindgren, Christine M. Lee, Melissa A. Lewis, Nicole Fossos, David C. Atkins

Institutions: University of Washington, University of Richmond

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism