The role of substance use and emotion dysregulation in predicting risk for incapacitated sexual revictimization in women: results of a prospective investigation.
Abstract
Incapacitated sexual assault (ISA) is the most common form of sexual victimization
experienced by college women. Although ISA victims are at risk for future assaults,
few studies have examined mechanisms responsible for ISA revictimization besides heavy
drinking. Using a prospective design, the present study examined whether emotion dysregulation,
given its association with interpersonal trauma and substance use, increases risk
for revictimization among women with a history of ISA above and beyond the effects
of substance use. Female college students (n = 229) completed a baseline assessment
followed by assessment of incapacitated sexual assault over a 9-week follow-up period.
Approximately 36% of participants reported a history of ISA, and 73% of those victimized
during the study had a history of ISA. Revictimized women reported higher levels of
alcohol-related problems, greater marijuana use, greater emotion dysregulation, and
higher levels of fear and guilt prior to experiencing ISA during the study; however,
they did not consume more alcohol than previously victimized women. In a logistic
regression analysis, guilt, emotion dysregulation, and marijuana use accurately classified
78.9% of ISA revictimized women. Women with a history of ISA are at substantial risk
for ISA revictimization. Findings suggest that even very small increases in emotion
dysregulation, particularly in impulsivity, as well as marijuana use, impact revictimization
risk substantially. Efficacy of interventions to reduce ISA revictimization may be
improved if emotion dysregulation is addressed.
Type
Journal articleSubject
AdolescentAlcoholic Intoxication
Crime Victims
Emotions
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Prospective Studies
Rape
Risk
Sex Offenses
Students
Substance-Related Disorders
Universities
Women
Young Adult
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11251Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1037/a0031073Publication Info
Messman-Moore, Terri L; Ward, Rose Marie; & Zerubavel, Noga (2013). The role of substance use and emotion dysregulation in predicting risk for incapacitated
sexual revictimization in women: results of a prospective investigation. Psychol Addict Behav, 27(1). pp. 125-132. 10.1037/a0031073. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11251.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Noga Zerubavel
Assistant Consulting Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Noga Zerubavel, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Consulting Professor
in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical
Center, where she is involved in clinical education and research. She is involved
in Trauma-informed Teaching and Learning in Education research project, supervises
in Duke Family Studies, and participates in teaching for the clinical psychology predoctoral
internship program. She is the former director o

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