COMORBIDITY OF SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN FEMALE CRIME VICTIMS

The present study examined the relationship between Posttraumatic Stre ss Disorder (PTSD) and sexual problems using data from a subset of wom en (n = 391) interviewed about history of crime Victimization and DSM- Ill-defined mental health problems (American Psychiatric Association, 1980). The sample was subdivided based on positive (n = 228) or negati ve (n = 165) history of sexual problems. These two groups were compare d on a number of demographics, crime characteristics, and mental healt h variables. Variables significantly related to sexual problems includ ed having experienced (a) some form of criminal victimization, (b) com pleted rape, (c) physical injury during the crime, (d) depression, and (e) PTSD. A logistic regression was conducted with these significant variables. The PTSD variable was entered into the regression model las t and was found to contribute a significant amount of the variance aft er accounting for variance contributed by the other variables. This fi nding supports the hypothesis that PTSD may act as a moderating variab le on the development of sexual problems in women with sexual and nons exual trauma histories. The findings from the present study are largel y consistent with learning theory models of posttraumatic adjustment. Clinical and research implications are discussed.