Title

Cumulative Sexual Victimization and Mental Health Outcomes among Incarcerated Women

Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This research explores the relationship between three different types of self-reported sexual victimization and subsequent mental health problems in a sample of incarcerated women. Previous literature establishes a link between victimization histories and poor mental health outcomes. This study focuses on sexual victimization experienced as a child, as an adolescent and as an adult, both individually and cumulatively, in relation to entering prison with a mental health diagnosis as well as reporting current depressive symptoms while incarcerated. Each type of victimization is significantly related to both prior mental health diagnosis and current depression in prison. Furthermore, there is an additive effect on both mental health diagnosis and symptoms of depression.

Original Citation

Hartsfield, J., Sharp, S.F., & Conner, S. (2017). Cumulative Sexual Victimization and Mental Health Outcomes among Incarcerated Women. Dignity: A Journal on Sexual Exploitation and Violence, 2(1) Article 11. https://doi.org/10.23860/dignity.2017.02.01.11. Available at: http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/dignity/vol2/iss1/11

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