A measure of experiences with violence and post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

This present study examined the relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, attitudes about sexuality, number of incidents of lifetime interpersonal violence (directly experienced, witnessed, and told as experienced by someone close), and substance use. Participants were 73 male and 211 female undergraduate students from Introductory Psychology. It was hypothesized that numbers of incidences of interpersonal violence and rates of PTSD symptoms would be related. Also, individuals who have directly experienced sexual assault or know many who have may have more negative views of sexuality. In addition, women who experience PTSD symptoms may have more negative feelings about sexuality. Incidence of PTSD symptoms, directly experienced sexual threat, and indirectly experienced sexual threat in women were found to related to sexual preoccupation. Self-reported trauma indicated relationships between PTSD symptoms; also, for women found strong relationships on PTSD symptoms and directly and indirectly experienced sexual violence.