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Cited by 489Child Abuse and TraumaSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesPsychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending

The role of childhood sexual abuse sequelae in the sexual revictimization of women

Messman-Moore, Terri L, Long, Patricia J·2003·Clinical Psychology Review
DOI 10.1016/s0272-7358(02)00203-9
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Abstract

There is now widespread empirical evidence that child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors are at greater risk for sexual revictimization in adulthood, but less is known of the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Despite the lack of a conceptual framework to guide research, there has been a recent influx of studies examining explanatory variables, with most focusing on the psychological sequelae of CSA: alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, dissociation, posttraumatic symptomatology, poor risk recognition, and interpersonal difficulties. With the exception of sexual behavior, the studies reviewed here provide limited or mixed support for the role of intrapersonal factors in revictimization. Future research may benefit from a focus on the function of psychological distress that is expressed as psychological vulnerability, as opposed to individual forms of psychopathology or maladaptive behavior. An ecological framework may be useful as a guide to future investigations, as this model focuses on factors outside of the victim, including childhood factors such as family environment, contextual factors including the behavior of the perpetrator, and societal and cultural factors that impact revictimization. Future investigations should focus on the interaction between victim vulnerability and perpetrator behavior. Implications for prevention programming, clinical intervention, and future research are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0272-7358(02)00203-9

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  • There is some evidence from the SA revictimization literature, albeit mixed, that psychosocial consequences of childhood SA increase risk for adolescent/adult SA via increased contact with potential perpetrators and/or increased likelihood of being targeted.

    “there is some evidence from the SA revictimization literature, albeit mixed, that the psychosocial consequences of childhood SA increase risk for adolescent/adult SA via increased contact with potential perpetrators (e.g., as a result of using alcohol) and/or an increased likelihood that perpetrators will target the individual (e.g., due to impaired risk recognition) (Classen et al., 2005; Messman”

    From Sexual assault victimization and psychopathology: A review and meta-analysis (2017) · cites this paper as Messman-Moore & Long, 2003

  • Childhood sexual abuse remains highly significant in the final model.

    “Since CSA has also been linked to other intervening variables in the model, such as low educational attainment[22], the fact that CSA remains highly significant in the final model confirms it's importance as a risk factor for IPV.”

    From What factors are associated with recent intimate partner violence? findings from the WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence (2011) · cites this paper as [22]

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Authors
Messman-Moore, T. L., & Long, P. J.
Affiliations
Oklahoma State University (US)
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003-07
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
537-571
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0272-7358(02)00203-9
OpenAlex
W1710978354
Cited by
484
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 31
FWCI
6.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Keywords
child sexual abuse, sexual revictimization, women, psychological sequelae, victim vulnerability, perpetrator behavior, ecological model, posttraumatic stress symptoms, dissociation, risk identification, alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, prevention programming
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Cultural Characteristics, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Recurrence, Risk Factors, Social Conditions, Survivors, Crime Victims

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