Definitional Issues and Mediating Variables in the Sexual Revictimization of Women Sexually Abused as Children

Abstract

This study examined the effect of child sexual abuse, defined three different ways, and three definitions of adult sexual assault on revictimization rates. Child definitions varied in the degree of contact; adult definitions varied in degree of contact and force used. Variables hypothesized to mediate the rate of revictimization included parental support, attributional style, coping style, severity of abuse, and involvement in psychotherapy. Subjects were 654 college females. Contact forms of child sexual abuse were associated with significant rates of revictimization, although noncontact child sexual abuse was not associated with revictimization. Revictimized women could not be discriminated from nonrevictimized women on the basis of the proposed mediating variables. Level of adult sexual experience was the best predictor of adult sexual assault. High levels of sexual activity is proposed as the link between child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.