Perceived Uncontrollability and Unpredictability, Self-Regulation, and Sexual Revictimization

Abstract

This article reviews the descriptive literature on sexual revictimization and the evidence for the theoretical models that have been formulated to explain this phenomenon. Also, a speculative account of sexual revictimization is presented. The proposed model emphasizes individuals’ attempts to influence or control the quality, frequency, intensity, or duration of fear and arousal associated with a history of uncontrollable and unpredictable childhood sexual abuse through the use of antecedent or response-focused emotion regulation processes. The various forms of emotion regulation may produce symptoms or behaviors that may signal vulnerability to sexual predators, result in impairment of the ability to properly process danger cues, and impede successful defensive behavior. Implications of the proposed model and future directions are discussed.