Risk factors for rape, physical assault, and posttraumatic stress disorderin women: Examination of differential multivariate relationships

The National Women's Study, a 2-year, three-wave longitudinal investigation , employed a national probability sample of 3,006 adult women to: (a) ident ify separate risk factors for rape and physical assault, and (b) identify s eparate risk factors associated with post-rape posttraumatic stress disorde r (PTSD) and post-physical assault PTSD. This investigation differed from p revious studies in that it prospectively examined risk factors at the multi variate, as opposed to univariate level. Overall, past victimization, young age, and a diagnosis of active PTSD increased women's risk of being raped. By contrast, past victimization, minority ethnic status, active depression , and drug use were associated with increased risk of being physically assa ulted. Risk factors for PTSD following rape included a history of depressio n, alcohol abuse, or experienced injury during the rape. However, risk fact ors for PTSD following physical assault included only a history of depressi on and lower education. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.