Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Assault in Psychiatric Patients

Kim, Daeho; Lee, Haewon; Roh, Sung Won; Choi, Joonho; Park, Yong Chon; Chung, Seung Ah; Nam, Jung Hyun

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The direct causal relationship between the experience of sexual assault and development of psychiatric disorder remains uncertain. However, studies consistently show that those with history of this horrendous event report a wide range of symptoms, higher level of distress, and various social and psychological problems. This study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors in a cohort sample of 340 Korean psychiatric patients.
METHODS
Data from consecutive 340 new patients were gathered at a psychiatric department of a university affiliated hospital. Participants completed Life Events Scale, Symptom Checklist-90-R, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Dissociative Experiences Scale.
RESULTS
History of sexual assault was reported by 11.5% of respondents (women 18.6%;men 2.1%). Bivariate analysis revealed that women (p<.001), divorced or widowed and never been married (p<.05), unemployed and students or housewives (p<.05), monthly income more than 2 million Won (p<.05) were associated significantly with experience of sexual assault. All the scores from the scales but Beck Depression Inventory were significantly higher for the sexually assaulted. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that women were 12 times more likely to be sexually assaulted (Odds ratio=12.24, 95% CI=3.51-42.64). Other risk factors included younger age and interaction of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Global Severity Index.
CONCLUSION
This study supported the risk factors of sexual assaults identified in western literature. Clinicians can be alert for any history of sexual assault when younger women with PTSD present higher level of symptomatology.