CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL ASSAULT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR PTSD, DEPRESSION, ANDSUBSTANCE-ABUSE - FINDINGS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY

A national sample of adult women was screened for a history of serious physical assault in childhood, major depressive episode, post-traumat ic stress disorder, and substance abuse. Approximately 2.6% reported h aving experienced serious assaults in childhood, with fathers and step fathers identified as having been the most frequent offenders. Compare d to women reporting no such victimization, these women experienced mo re lifetime and current episodes of depression, posttraumatic stress, and substance abuse.