Abstracts Category : Other

Effects of the Protective Factor Social Support and Risk Factor of Cocaine Abuse/Dependence Among Racially Diverse Female Survivors of Sexual Victimization

by Carissa L Gustafson

This study examined the role of protective factors (i.e., social support) and risk factors (i.e., cocaine abuse/dependence) in psychological outcomes (i.e., major depressive disorder, irritable depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) among racially diverse female survivors of sexual victimization. Archival data from a subsample of participants (<i>n</i> = 1115), those who endorsed experiences of sexual victimization, from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication, a cross-sectional survey of mental disorders of the general population of the United States, were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine if the predictor variables (i.e., social support and cocaine abuse/dependence) were related to the outcomes variable (i.e., major depressive disorder, irritable depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) and then to determine if the moderating variable (i.e., race) changed the relationship between the predictor variables and the outcomes variables. Respondents who endorsed sexual victimization and reported experiencing less positive support were more likely to have PTSD. Respondents who endorsed sexual victimization and also met criteria for cocaine abuse/dependence were more likely to have PTSD. Compared to Caucasians, Asian American Pacific Islanders and Latinas were significantly more likely to have experienced PTSD. Limitations and implications are discussed.