Rape and physical violence: Comparison of assault characteristics in older and younger adults in the national women’s study

Acierno, Ron; Gray, Matt; Best, Connie; Resnick, Heidi; Kilpatrick; Saunders, Ben; Brady, Kristine

doi:10.1023/a:1013033920267

Cited by 54Sexual Assault and Victimization StudiesIntimate Partner and Family ViolenceElder Abuse and Neglect

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 25 of the 25 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Rape and physical violence: Comparison of assault characteristics in older and younger adults in the national women’s study

Acierno, Ron, Gray, Matt, Best, Connie, Resnick, Heidi, Kilpatrick, Saunders, Ben, Brady, Kristine·2001·Journal of Traumatic Stress

DOI 10.1023/a:1013033920267

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

This study compared characteristics of recently occurring assaults against younger adults (age 18-34 years) with those of distant-past assaults against older adults (age 55-89 years) when they were younger. Responses of a subset of participants in the National Women's Study were the source of data for this study. With the exception of perceived life threat during assault (more prevalent in younger women), assault characteristics did not vary greatly by age in terms of proportions reporting that they had seen the perpetrator before; the event was one in a series; they or the perpetrator were under the influence of a substance; they actually experienced injury; and they reported the assault to authorities. Consistent with previous research, younger women reported greater prevalences of assault than older women.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1023/a:1013033920267

Cites

25 of 25 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Applied Multivariate Statistics for the Social Sciences
Stevens, J. P. (2012) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203843130 · Cited by 10,652
Statistical Abstract of the U nited S tates
(2005) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/0471667196.ess2527 · Cited by 8,872
Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences
Stevens, J. P., & Stevens, J. P. (2001) · doi:10.4324/9781410604491 · Cited by 4,993
Untitled work
(2002) · Cited by 2,645
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2007
(2007) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.45-1769 · Cited by 2,409
Prevalence of civilian trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in a representative national sample of women.
Resnick, H. S., Kilpatrick, D. G., Dansky, B. S., Saunders, B. E., & al, E. (1993) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.61.6.984 · Cited by 1,868
Prevalence of civilian trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in a representative national sample of women.
Resnick, H. S., Kilpatrick, D. G., Dansky, B. S., Saunders, B. E., & Best, C. L. (1993) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.61.6.984 · Cited by 1,868
Self-citation
Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for mental disorders: A meta-analysis
Golding, J. M. (1999) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1023/a:1022079418229 · Cited by 1,788
Applied Multivariate Statistics for the Social Sciences
Schumm, W. R., & Stevens, J. P. (1993) · The American Statistician · doi:10.2307/2685203 · Cited by 1,532
Epidemiology of trauma: Frequency and impact of different potentially traumatic events on different demographic groups.
Norris, F. H. (1992) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.60.3.409 · Cited by 1,527
A 2-year longitudinal analysis of the relationships between violent assault and substance use in women.
Kilpatrick, D. G., Acierno, R. E., Resnick, H. S., Saunders, B. E., & Best, C. L. (1997) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.65.5.834 · Cited by 854
A 2-year longitudinal analysis of the relationships between violent assault and substance use in women.
Kilpatrick, D. G., Acierno, R. E., Resnick, H. S., et al. (1997) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.65.5.834 · Cited by 622
Self-citation
United States Bureau of the Census
(1998) · Electronic Resources Review · doi:10.1108/err.1998.2.2.10.9 · Cited by 522
Criminal Victimization: Lifetime Prevalence, Reporting to Police, and Psychological Impact
Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., Veronen, L. J., Best, C. L., & Von, J. M. (1987) · Crime & Delinquency · doi:10.1177/0011128787033004005 · Cited by 442
Victim and crime factors associated with the development of crime-related post-traumatic stress disorder
Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., Amick‐McMullan, A., Best, C. L., Veronen, L. J., & Resnick, H. S. (1989) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(89)80069-3 · Cited by 440
Health Impact of Interpersonal Violence 2: Medical and Mental Health Outcomes
Resnick, H. S., Acierno, R. E., & Kilpatrick, D. G. (1997) · Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1080/08964289709596730 · Cited by 363
Psychological distress following criminal victimization in the general population: Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and prospective analyses.
Norris, F. H., & Kaniasty, K. (1994) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.62.1.111 · Cited by 165
Psychological distress following criminal victimization in the general population: Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and prospective analyses.
Norris, F. H., & Kaniasty, K. (1994) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.62.1.111 · Cited by 163
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: DSM-IV and Beyond
Cusack, J. R. (1994) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.151.7.1093 · Cited by 145
Predicting the Reporting of Rape Victimizations
Bachman, R. D. (1993) · Criminal Justice and Behavior · doi:10.1177/0093854893020003003 · Cited by 129
Violent Assault, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression
Acierno, R. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., Resnick, H. S., Saunders, B. E., & Best, C. L. (1996) · Behavior Modification · doi:10.1177/01454455960204001 · Cited by 122
Sexual Assault of the Elderly Victim
Muram, D., MILLER, K., & Cutler, A. (1992) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/088626092007001006 · Cited by 87
Alcohol, drugs, and urban violence in a small city trauma center
Buss, T. F., Abdu, R. A., & Walker, J. R. (1995) · Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment · doi:10.1016/0740-5472(94)00086-7 · Cited by 60
Violence Against the Elderly
Bachman, R. D., Dillaway, H. E., & Lachs, M. S. (1998) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027598202002 · Cited by 52
Exploring Negative Dating Experiences and Beliefs About Rape Among Younger and Older Women
Kalra, M., Wood, E., Desmarais, S., Verberg, N., & Senn, C. Y. (1998) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1023/a:1018630513681 · Cited by 31

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

Bachman R., 1995, Violence against women: Estimates from the redesigned survey (Publication No. 154348)
10.1037/0022-006X.60.3.409 · DOI
Rennison C. M., 2000, Criminal victimization 1999: Changes 1998–1999 with trends 1992–1999

Sorted by citations

Distribution of Traumatic and Other Stressful Life Events by Race/Ethnicity, Gender, SES and Age: A Review of the Research
Hatch, S. L., & Dohrenwend, B. P. (2007) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1007/s10464-007-9134-z · Cited by 573
Sexual assault in the U.S. military: A review of the literature and recommendations for the future
Turchik, J. A., & Wilson, S. M. (2010) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2010.01.005 · Cited by 274
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Across the Adult Lifespan: Findings From a Nationally Representative Survey
Reynolds, K., Pietrzak, R. H., Mackenzie, C. S., Chou, K., & Sareen, J. (2015) · American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2015.11.001 · Cited by 115
Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Elderly: A Community Prevalence Study
Creamer, M. C., & Parslow, R. (2008) · American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/01.jgp.0000310785.36837.85 · Cited by 113
Crime Reporting Behavior: Do Attitudes Toward the Police Matter?
Boateng, F. D. (2016) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260516632356 · Cited by 114
Older Women Survivors of Physical and Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review of the Quantitative Literature
Cook, J. M., Dinnen, S., & O'Donnell, C. (2011) · Journal of Women s Health · doi:10.1089/jwh.2010.2279 · Cited by 95
The impact of domestic abuse for older women: a review of the literature
McGarry, J., Simpson, C., & Hinsliff‐Smith, K. (2010) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2524.2010.00964.x · Cited by 85
Chronicity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Risk of Disability in Older Persons
Byers, A. L., Covinsky, K. E., Neylan, T. C., & Yaffe, K. S. (2014) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.5 · Cited by 78
The Associations of Physical and Sexual Assault with Suicide Risk in Nonclinical Military and Undergraduate Samples
Bryan, C. J., McNaughton-Cassill, M. E., Osman, A., & Hernandez, A. M. (2013) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12011 · Cited by 66
Forensic Markers in Elder Female Sexual Abuse Cases
Burgess, A. W., Hanrahan, N. P., & Baker, T. (2005) · Clinics in Geriatric Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.cger.2004.10.005 · Cited by 55
Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Dementia in the Elderly: A Retrospective Study of 284 Cases
Burgess, A. W., & Phillips, S. L. (2006) · Victims & Offenders · doi:10.1080/15564880600663935 · Cited by 53
Feminist Agency, Sexual Scripts, and Sexual Violence: Developing a Model for Postgendered Family Communication
Rossetto, K. R., & Tollison, A. C. (2017) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12232 · Cited by 47
Understanding Disparities in Service Seeking Following Forcible Versus Drug- or Alcohol-Facilitated/Incapacitated Rape
Walsh, K., Zinzow, H. M., Badour, C. L., Ruggiero, K. J., Kilpatrick, D. G., & Resnick, H. S. (2015) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260515576968 · Cited by 44
Domestic Violence Service Users: A Comparison of Older and Younger Women Victims
Lundy, M., & Grossman, S. F. (2009) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9230-y · Cited by 44
Older victims of sexual assault: an underrecognized population
Eckert, L. O., & Sugar, N. F. (2008) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.03.021 · Cited by 43
Mental health and rape history in relation to non-medical use of prescription drugs in a national sample of women
McCauley, J. L., Amstadter, A. B., Danielson, C. K., Ruggiero, K. J., Kilpatrick, D. G., & Resnick, H. S. (2009) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.026 · Cited by 41
Comparisons of Sexual Assault Among Older and Younger Women
Bove, G. D., STERMAC, L. E., & Bainbridge, D. (2005) · Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1300/j084v17n03_01 · Cited by 39
Prediction of sexual assault experiences in college women based on rape scripts: A prospective analysis.
Turchik, J. A., Probst, D. R., Irvin, C. R., Chau, M., & Gidycz, C. A. (2009) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0015157 · Cited by 37
Intimate partner violence in women living with HIV attending an inner city clinic in the UK : prevalence and associated factors
Dhairyawan, R., Tariq, S., Scourse, R., & Coyne, K. (2012) · HIV Medicine · doi:10.1111/hiv.12009 · Cited by 35
“If We Don’t Listen to Them, We Make Them Lose More than Money:” Exploring Reasons for Underreporting and the Needs of Older Scam Victims
Parti, K., & Tahir, F. (2023) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci12050264 · Cited by 32
“Acierno et al. (2001) and Heath et al. (2013) found that older individuals are less likely to report crimes to the police, while others (Goudriaan et al. 2006; Gutierrez and Kirk 2017; Baumer and Lauritsen 2010; Torrente et al. 2017; Goudriaan et al. 2004; Tolsma et al. 2012) have found that the…”
Aspectos psicológicos de mulheres que sofrem violência sexual
de Souza, F. B. C., Drezett, J., Meirelles, A. D. C., & Ramos, D. G. (2012) · Reprodução & Climatério · doi:10.1016/j.recli.2013.03.002 · Cited by 32
Age and educational differences in African American women's sexual assault experiences
Long, L. M., Ullman, S. E., Starzynski, L. L., Long, S. M., & Mason, G. E. (2007) · Feminist Criminology · doi:10.1177/1557085106296583 · Cited by 38
Domestic abuse and older women: exploring the opportunities for service development and care delivery
McGarry, J., & Simpson, C. (2011) · The Journal of Adult Protection · doi:10.1108/14668201111194203 · Cited by 30
Victims of sexual assaults
Boateng, F. D. (2015) · International Review of Victimology · doi:10.1177/0269758015591931 · Cited by 30
Victims rational decision: A theoretical and empirical explanation of dark figures in crime statistics
Asiama, A. A., & Zhong, H. (2022) · Cogent Social Sciences · doi:10.1080/23311886.2022.2029249 · Cited by 34
Treating Substance Abuse and Trauma Symptoms in Incarcerated Women
Swopes, R. M., Davis, J. L., & Scholl, J. A. (2015) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260515587668 · Cited by 30
Willingness to Report Sexual Offenses to the Police in Ghana
Boateng, F. D., & Lee, H. D. (2014) · Victims & Offenders · doi:10.1080/15564886.2014.907848 · Cited by 23
Prevalence of violence against women reported in a rural health region.
Thurston, W. E., Patten, S. B., & Lagendyk, L. (2006) · PubMed · Cited by 19
The Associations Between Sexual Victimization and Health Outcomes Among LGBQA College Students: Examining the Moderating Role of Social Support
DeLaney, E. N., Williams, C. D., Mosley, D. V., Hawn, S. E., & Dick, D. M. (2020) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260520978179 · Cited by 19
Predictors of Injury Associated with Rape
Crane, P. A. (2006) · Journal of Forensic Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1939-3938.2006.tb00062.x · Cited by 17
Assessment of Sexual Assault in Clinical Practice: Available Screening Tools for Use with Different Adult Populations
Probst, D. R., Turchik, J. A., Zimak, E. H., & Huckins, J. L. (2011) · Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma · doi:10.1080/10926771.2011.546754 · Cited by 16
Practitioner perspectives of domestic abuse and women over 45
Carthy, N., & Taylor, R. (2018) · European Journal of Criminology · doi:10.1177/1477370817749484 · Cited by 12
Assessment of full and subsyndromal PTSD and quality of life of internally displaced older adults in northern Nigeria
Ojeahere, M. I., Uwakwe, R., Piwuna, C. G., Audu, M. D., Goar, S. G., Armiya’u, A. Y., & Afolaranmi, T. (2021) · Aging and Health Research · doi:10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100040 · Cited by 12
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Guess, K. F. (2006) · The Nurse Practitioner · doi:10.1097/00006205-200603000-00008 · Cited by 11
Correlates of Problem Drinking and Drug Use in Black Sexual Assault Victims
Long, L., & Ullman, S. E. (2016) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-14-00024 · Cited by 14
Older women and sexual violence: recognising and supporting survivors
Scriver, S., Mears, E., & Wallace, I. (2013) · The Journal of Adult Protection · doi:10.1108/jap-03-2013-0008 · Cited by 9
Older women and domestic abuse: through a glass darkly
Milne, A. J. (2023) · The Journal of Adult Protection · doi:10.1108/jap-10-2022-0022 · Cited by 6
Determining Best Practice for Treating Sexually Victimized Children
Saunders, B. E. (2011) · doi:10.1002/9781118094822.ch8 · Cited by 6
Age of greatest risk for victimization by forced sexual intercourse: Vulnerability of high school women
Johnson, I. M., Morgan, E., & Sigler, R. T. (2007) · Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2007.09.007 · Cited by 5
A Qualitative Analysis of the Effects of Victimization History and Sexual Attitudes on Women’s Hypothetical Sexual Assault Scripts
Leiting, K. A., & Yeater, E. A. (2016) · Violence Against Women · doi:10.1177/1077801216637472 · Cited by 5
Predictors of Reported Elder Sexual Abuse: Analyses of Wisconsin's Adult Protective Services Report Data, 1988-2003
Lobell, T. (2006) · Cited by 2
PTSD at Late Life: Context and Treatment
Hyer, L. A., & Yeager, C. A. (2012) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195399066.013.0034 · Cited by 2
Community capacity and the reporting of extortion victimization
Dulin, A. L. (2023) · International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice · doi:10.1080/01924036.2023.2271985 · Cited by 1
Breaking barriers? A study of individual and societal influences on engagement with women's police stations in Guatemala
Iesue, L. T. (2025) · International journal of law, crime and justice · doi:10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100764 · Cited by 1
Elder Abuse: Policy
Nerenberg, L. (2009) · Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science · doi:10.1002/9780470061589.fsa479
'Balancing complexity, resources and demand' : a grounded theory of clinical decision making in psychological therapy for older people with posttraumatic stress symptoms
Billett, J. (2014) · ERA
Document Title: Elderly Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Offenders
Burgess, A. W. (2006)
The Development of the Sexual Assault Script Scale
Leiting, K. A. (2016) · UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico)
Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Older Adults
Strachan, M. K., Elwood, L. S., Amstadter, A. B., & Acierno, R. E. (2012) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195399066.013.0026
Empowering Change: Female Political Representation and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Women Victims of ViolencePreprint
Giacobbe, P., Mosca, A., Ordine, P., & Rose, G. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5290242
Are Colleges Prepared? Exploring the Use of Mental Health Services Among US Students
Napper, S., & Stives, K. L. (2025) · Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice · doi:10.1177/25166069251377907
Help-seeking after gender-based violence: The role of local female political representation
Giacobbe, P., Mosca, A., Ordine, P., & Rose, G. (2026) · European Journal of Political Economy · doi:10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102832
The effects of a sexual victimization history, sexual attitudes, and ethnicity on women's sexual assault scripts
Leiting, K. A. (2012) · UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico)

Older victims of sexual assault: an underrecognized population
Eckert, L. O., & Sugar, N. F. (2008) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.03.021 · Cited by 43
Comparisons of Sexual Assault Among Older and Younger Women
Bove, G. D., STERMAC, L. E., & Bainbridge, D. (2005) · Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1300/j084v17n03_01 · Cited by 39
Women Victims of Assault: Age Differences in Victim-Aggressor Relationship and Location
Burrows, T., Homel, R. J., & Gallois, C. (2003) · Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology · doi:10.1375/000486503768293810
Sexual Assault of Older Women by Strangers
Lea, S. J., Hunt, L., & Shaw, S. R. (2010) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260510383036 · Cited by 56
Sexual assault in postmenopausal women: epidemiology and patterns of genital injury
Jones, J. S., Rossman, L., Diegel, R., Order, P. V., & Wynn, B. N. (2009) · The American Journal of Emergency Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2008.07.010 · Cited by 48

Authors: Acierno, R., Gray, M., Best, C., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, Saunders, B., & Brady, K.
Affiliations: Medical University of South Carolina (US)
Alliant University (US)
Corresponding author: Acierno, Ron
ORCID: Acierno, Ron
Gray, Matt
Venue: Journal of Traumatic Stress
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2001-10
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Pages: 685-695
ISSN: 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
1573-6598
DOI: 10.1023/a:1013033920267
OpenAlex: W2042598355
Cited by: 54
References: 22
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 5
FWCI: 0.00
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 1368 d)
Locations: Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (5r01da005220-04)
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA 05220)
Topics: Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Elder Abuse and Neglect
Keywords: rape, sexual assault, physical violence, age differences, older women, young women, perceived life threat, substance use, injuries, reporting to authorities
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Random Allocation, Rape, Violence, Prevalence

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Rape and physical violence: Comparison of assault characteristics in older and younger adults in the national women’s study

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks