Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

Qualitative

1. Jr, M. J. D., Brown, D., Steen, J., & Benoit, E. (2018). Understanding the Impact of
Childhood Sexual Abuse on Men’s Risk Behavior: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods
Study. JMIR Research Protocols, 7(2). doi: 10.2196/resprot.9071
Summary: In this article, Brown, Steen and Benoit (2018) assert that childhood sexual
abuse (CSA) has negative antecedent outcomes for black and Latino gay men, which
include poor mental health and high-risk sexual behavior. The authors conceptualize that
CSE, together with their social identities influence relationships as adults, alcohol and
drug use, and psychological distress. The goal of this research is to inform testable
approaches to incorporating sexual abuse history into other mental health care used by
men with a history of CSE.
Research question of authors: How can qualitative assessments of sexual abuse history
be used in conjunction with other mental health screening to better understand the impact
of abuse.
Method: The researchers use mixed-method, cross sectional interviews with 80 black and
Latino men in New York City to examine sexual experiences including non-consensual
acts with both men and women during childhood.
Strength: Using mixed methods allows for data triangulation, enabling the researchers to
assess their reliability and validity. Furthermore, a strength of this research is its ability to
assess intersecting social identities (race, gender, ability etc.) that derive an understanding
on the impact of CSE on risky antecedent behavior. Unlike some quantitative research
that takes a limited understanding of what abuse consists of, this study considers cultural
variations of what sexual abuse is.
Limitation: This study doesn’t have a truly representative sample as there are several
exclusions from participation (i.e. Non-English speakers). Moreover, the recruitment for
this study favors those with internet access.
2. Benoit, E., & Downing, M. J. (2013). Childhood sexual experiences among substance-
using non-gay identified Black men who have sex with men and women. Child Abuse &
Neglect, 37(9), 679–690. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.04.007
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

Summary: The authors completed in-depth interviews with thirty-three men who
identified as Black male, 18 years or older and not self-identifying as homosexual (half
identified as bisexual, one-third heterosexual) who described their sexual experiences
including childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
Research question: Does childhood sexual experiences (abuse or consented) have any
implications on risky behavior as adults?
Method: The interviews were systemically read and coded. The initial codes and patterns
of sexual experienced were compared and designated into one of four childhood sexual
experience patterns.
Strength: The study allowed participants to describe their personal experiences in a
private and controlled setting. Furthermore, allowing the participants to openly talk about
their perceived experiences “…created a dialogue rather than assert labels”. This was
essential in men’s recognition of CSA and risky sexual behavior.
Limitation: Although the sample included a qualifying number for a qualitative study,
the sample is not representative of all Black men. Moreover, the authors weren’t able to
make direct associations between CSA and risky adult sexual behavior, but they did see a
pattern emerge regarding poor health outcomes and a greater percentage of drug use
among men who were sexually abused as children.
Results: The results indicated that the way in which men view their childhood sexual
experiences (consented or abuse) has implications on risk-taking behavior as adults.
Implications: This particular study is of great importance because it explores the
experiences of childhood sexual abuse in Black men, who are at a disproportionate risk of
harm and sexual risk behavior. This is important in regards for treatment providers who
were with targeting risk behavior, as it indicates that a history of CSA may be effecting
participants self-perceptions and sexual relations.

3. Jones, D. J., Lewis, T., Litrownik, A., Thompson, R., Proctor, L. J., Isbell, P., … Runyan,
D. (2012). Linking Childhood Sexual Abuse and Early Adolescent Risk Behavior: The
Intervening Role of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems. Journal of Abnormal Child
Psychology, 41(1), 139–150. doi: 10.1007/s10802-012-9656-1
- Qualitative study, uses group-based trajectory modelling.
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

- this study utilizes group-based trajectory modeling to examine internalizing and

externalizing problems (age 12) as mechanisms linking CSA trajectories (ages 2– 12
years old) to early risk behavior at age 14, a particularly vulnerable period for alcohol use
and sex
- At the most basic level, early risk behavior may be conceptualized in at least two ways:
1). Consistent with Problem Behavior Theory, early risk behavior may reflect a broader
constellation of acting out behaviors, fueled by the anger associated with CSA and its
effects, in youth with externalizing problems; and/or 2). Early risk behavior may function
as a way to numb negative feelings about the self and/or a strategy to induce feelings that
have been numbed by the trauma among youth with internalizing problems (e.g.,
Donovan and Jessor 1985; Jessor et al. 1995; Schofield et al. 2008). As such, it is
predicted that CSA history will be linked to early risk behavior via increases in
internalizing and externalizing problems.
- A robust literature examines the later risky behavior of adult women who have a history
of sexual abuse. The authors found a gap in literature pertaining to young boys’ later risk
behavior in the presence of CSA.
- The sample of participants were retrieved from Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and
Neglect (LONG-SCAN). The participants included 832 youth who had a history of
maltreatment data between the ages of 2-12.
- The interviews were approximately 2 hours in duration for the youth, and the caregivers
were interviewed using an Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview (A-CASI). The
parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the youth were interviewed
with the Alcohol Use and Sexual Intercourse (A-CASI). Maltreatment records were
obtained from CSA.
- The authors examined the indirect effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on risky
behavior (alcohol use and sexual intercourse) via the intervening role of caregiver-
reported internalizing (e.g. causing trouble within the self; depression, anxiety, social
isolation) and externalizing problems (e.g. aggressiveness, delinquency) at age 12, as
well as interviews with the youth at age 14.
- The authors found an indirect effect from CSA to sexual intercourse through
externalizing problems. The pattern of alcohol consumption was similar for girls but not
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

for boys. The authors were unable confirm the hypothesis regarding the indirect effect of
internalizing problems due to CSA.
- This study has implications for future research and prevention. With regards to
prevention, the authors highlight the role of externalizing problems in association with
CSA and sexual risk behavior. They regard approaches such as Trauma-Focused
Cognitive Behavior Therapy to be treatment approach to sexually abused youth.
However, research shows that this TF-CBT show significant evidence in reducing risky
sexual behavior. This implies the greater need for preventative measures targeting
vulnerable populations (i.e. young boys with a history of CSA).

4. Clum, G. A., Chung, S.-E., Ellen, J. M., Perez, L. V., Murphy, D. A., Harper, G. W., &
Hamvas, L. (2011). Victimization and Sexual Risk Behavior in Young, HIV Positive
Women: Exploration of Mediators. AIDS and Behavior, 16(4), 999–1010. doi:
10.1007/s10461-011-9931-0
- Participants included 118 women 18 -24 years of age, who were HIV positive.
- An extensive audio computer assisted self interview (ACASI) was used for baseline
interviews which tool 2-3 hours, followed by a in person visit 6,12,18 months after,
lasting about 1-2 hours.
- A strength of this research was realizing potential for participant burden in answering
questions regarding history of sexual abuse. Thus, the authors assessed demographics,
mental health and abuse variables at baseline and sexual history, and behaviors in the
subsequent 6 months follow up interview.
- Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire Screener (JVQS) was used to assess the sexual
abuse, which has shown to be reliable (alpha of 0.8.) and rest retest reliability of 0.59.
Adult victimization focused on sexual abuse after the age of 18 and responses were
gathered through the National Women’s Study. Sexual risk behavior was assessed with
the NIHM Multisite Trial Cooperative Agreement and depressive and anxiety disorders
were screened through C-DISC, which is based on DSM-IV criteria of disorders.
- The results indicated that child victimization was associated with adulthood
victimization. Furthermore, the authors found that depression and anxiety was more
prominent in those with a history of sexual abuse. The authors did not find a direct
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

association between condom use and child or adult victimization. However, the authors
did find that adult victimization influenced engagement in sexual risk behaviors
indirectly, through poorer sexual communication and multiple partners (at the same time).
- A limitation of the study is its cross-sectional nature which limits the researcher’s ability
to understand the causality of child or adult sexual abuse and risky behavior. Although
this study appreciates the “rule of thumb” of having more than 10 samples, a larger
sample size may retain more confidence in the results. Future research will benefit from
conducting a similar research with an increased sample size.
- Promising programs include the Nurse Family Partnership, which targets young mothers
to help them develop the skills and social networks necessary to enrich parenting of
infants and young children, and has demonstrated reductions in attitudes and risk factors
that may increase abuse and neglect [74, 75]. In addition to primary prevention strategies,
interventions should focus on decreasing risk and improving quality of life for HIV
positive young women with victimization histories, and the salience of their intimate
relationships to both of these goals should not be underestimated; our study highlights
possible mediators that may assist in this effort.
5. Brown, L. K., Hadley, W., Stewart, A., Lescano, C., Whiteley, L., Donenberg, G., &
Diclemente, R. (2010). Psychiatric disorders and sexual risk among adolescents in mental
health treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 590–597. doi:
10.1037/a0019632
- 820 adolescents and their parents completed computerized assessments regarding
psychiatric symptoms via the C-DISC. The adolescents also completed an interview on
sexual risk behaviors (condom use). And completed urine screens for STIs. Participants
who met the criteria for Mania, externalizing disorders (conduct, attention Deficit
Hyperactivity disorders) and comorbid internalizing (Major Depressive, Generalized
Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders) and externalizing disorders were more likely
to have more than one partner in the last three months, and more likely overall to indicate
a lifetime of vaginal and anal sex. Furthermore, they were more likely to test positive for
STI.
- This is the first report that systematically documents the sexual risk of adolescents with a
history of Mania. Specifically, adolescents within the Mania group were more likely to be
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

sexually active, have two or more partners in the past 90 days and to test positive for a
STI. Since condom use was just as common among those in the Mania group, a greater
number of partners and/or selection of partners with a greater likelihood of infection
might account for the increased rate of STIs in this group.
- Participants who only met criteria for internalizing disorder did not engage in riskier
sexual behaviors, however those who had comorbid internalizing and externalizing did.
- Limitation – the sample was recruited from three different cities and the enrollment was
said to be excellent however the participants were aware that they would be participating
in a health intervention study, which may limit the representativeness to all youth in
mental health treatment. Secondly, because self-reports were used to examine sexual
behavior, there is a susceptibility for subject bias. However, the researchers were able to
conduct the assessments in private confidential areas (computer in private room) which
protected sensitive data.
- The implications of this research shows that adolescents in mental health treatments may
be at risk for STIs and possibly HIV. In addition, specific diagnoses carry additional risk.
Those with externalizing disorders, even with a co-occurring internalizing disorder, are
more likely to be sexually active and thus should be carefully screened for intervention to
reduce their risk. Adolescents with a history of Mania are at increased risk because of
more sexual partners and STIs
- It is possible that effective mental health treatment, without specific attention to sexual
behavior risk, will reduce HIV/STI risk but longitudinal studies are needed. For now,
youth with externalizing disorders and Mania deserve careful attention and all
adolescents can benefit from strategies to increase safer sexual behaviors.

Quantitative
1. Abajobir, A. A., Kisely, S., Williams, G., Strathearn, L., & Najman, J. M. (2017). Risky
Sexual Behaviors and Pregnancy Outcomes in Young Adulthood Following Substantiated
Childhood Maltreatment: Findings From a Prospective Birth Cohort Study. The Journal of Sex
Research, 55(1), 106–119. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1368975
- Quantitative, longitudinal study.
- Goal of this study
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1) was to examine whether multiple and specific forms of childhood maltreatment

(sexual, physical, emotional) predicted early sexual debut and multiple sexual
partners
2) examine association between childhood maltreatment and the number of youth
pregnancies (which indicates unprotected sex)
- hypothesized that childhood maltreatment of any kind would lead to increased risky
sexual behavior and increase risk of pregnancy.
- There are several explanations for the results. First, the early onset of sexual intercourse
could occur due to underlying psychopathologies, including externalizing problems.
Second, maltreatment in childhood may have cause traumatic sexualization and feelings
of powerlessness and guilt which led to earlier sexual intercourse (Walsh et al., 2014).
Furthermore the results can be explained by the result of insecure attachment caused by
maltreatment (Suzuki & Tomoda, 2015)
- Suzuki,H.,&Tomoda,A.(2015).Rolesofattachmentandself-esteem:Impact of early life
stress on depressive symptoms among Japanese institutionalized children. BMC
Psychiatry, 15, 8. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0385-1

2. Thibodeau, M.-E., Lavoie, F., Hébert, M., & Blais, M. (2017). Pathways Linking
Childhood Maltreatment and Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviors: The Role of Attachment
Security. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(8), 994–1005. doi:
10.1080/00224499.2017.1316816
Thibodeau, Lavoie, Hebert and Blais (2017) bring attachment theory to provide insight into
the association between childhood maltreatment (CM; sexual, physical abuse, neglect) and
adolescent risky sexual behavior (RSB; number of concurrent partners). The association
between CM and high levels of attachment insecurity have been widely supported by prior
research (Cyr, Euser, Balermans-Kranenburg, & Van Ijzendoorn, 2010). For example, to
avoid disapproval or rejection, an anxiously attached person may consent to RSB. Similarly,
an avoidantly attached person may have concurrent partners and casual sex “… to inhibit the
development of deep emotional attachment, which is the function of intimacy avoidance”.
(Thibodeau, Laboie, Hebert, & Blais, 2017) In this study, the authors investigated the
relationship between CM and RSB and inspected anxious and avoidant attachment as
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

mediators. The final sample, gathered from the Quebec Youth’s Romantic Relationship
survey, include 1,900 sexually active students (13-17 years of age; 60.8% girls) from
Quebec. They hypothesized that CM would be directly associated with an increased number
of sexual partners, casual sex and younger age of sexual debut. Furthermore, the authors
hypothesized that CM would be associated with avoidant attachment, and anxious
attachment, which would lead to higher number of sexual partners and younger sexual debut
respectively. Attachment security was assessed by the Experiences in Close Relationship
Scale (short form), childhood maltreatment measurement included two items adopted from
the Quebec and American surveys and RSB was assessed with an interview question
regarding the number of consensual sexual relations. A major finding within this research
was the direct pathway from sexual abuse to RSB for both sexes, however the path from
sexual abuse to RSB was not explained by attachment, or avoidance and leaves the
possibility of a third variable.

3. Senn, T. E., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Child Maltreatment and Women’s Adult Sexual Risk
Behavior: Childhood Sexual Abuse as a Unique Risk Factor. Child Maltreatment, 15(4),
324–335. doi: 10.1177/1077559510381112

4. Hahn, A. M., Simons, R. M., & Simons, J. S. (2015). Childhood Maltreatment and Sexual
Risk Taking: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(1),
53–62. doi: 10.1007/s10508-015-0591-4

- This study reveals that adverse childhood experiences (i.e maltreatment including sexual
abuse) can impair emotional functioning and contribute to behavioral and interpersonal
dysregulation.
- Participants – 425 sexually active college students (303 females, 122 males) between 18-
25 years of age.
- Specifically, 50% of women and adolescents with HIV are victims of childhood
maltreatment, especially physical or sexual abuse (Pao et al., 2000; Simoni & Ng, 2000).
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

- The current study examined the mechanisms accounting for the relationship between
childhood maltreatment and sexual risk taking, specifically examining the roles of
alexithymia, negative urgency, alcohol use, and neediness.
o hypothesized that childhood maltreatment would predict alexithymia.
o hypothesized that alexithymia would predict negative urgency and neediness,
such that deficits in emotional functioning would predict poor emotion regulation
(e.g., negative urgency) and problematic interpersonal styles (e.g., neediness).
o Alexithymia was expected to be associated with sexual risk taking via negative
urgency and subsequent alcohol use, such that negative urgency predicts greater
alcohol use, which predicts greater sexual risk taking and (2) via neediness.
- The measures of this study included: The Child Abuse and Trauma Scale (CATS), a self-
report questionnaire used to assess childhood maltreatment, Toronto Alexithymia Scale
(TAS-20), a 20-item Likert scale questionnaire that assesses alexithymia, Urgency
subscale by the Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive
Urgency Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) to assess negative urgency, The Sexual
Risk Survey (SRS), a self-report free response questionnaire to assess risky sexual
behaviors (e.g. condom use, number of concurrent partners, alcohol use during sexual
activity etc.), and lastly The Modified Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ-M) to assess
daily alcohol use.
- Results found that childhood maltreatment was significantly correlated with negative
urgency and sexual risk taking. Moreover, alcohol use was significantly positively
correlated with alexithymia, negative urgency and sexual risk taking. Finally, 72% of the
participants who has a history of childhood maltreatment reported engaging in
unprotected sex in the last 6 months. As hypothesized, childhood maltreatment was
positively associated with alexithymia.
- A limitation of the study was that it is cross-sectional in nature, such as in investigating
the complicated relationship between alcohol used and risky sexual behavior.
Furthermore, this study would benefit from diversity within the sample (most participants
were White).
- Several important implications can be gathered from this study. For counselors,
identifying malleable mechanisms (i.e. alexithymia) could greatly reduce potential
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

negative outcomes such as sexual risk taking (i.e unplanned pregnancy, lower condom
use, etc.). Specifically this understanding can encourage the development and
maintenance of emotional regulation skills with clients which could impact subsequent
health behaviors such as sexual risk taking.
5. Haydon, A. A., Hussey, J. M., & Halpern, C. T. (2010). Childhood Abuse and Neglect and
the Risk of STDs In Early Adulthood. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive
Health, 43(1), 16–22. doi: 10.1363/4301611
- In this quantitative study, the authors examined associations between maltreatment by
parents (sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect) in childhood and STD outcomes in young
adulthood. This research was conducted in 4 waves. The data for Wave 1 ,3,4 were
gathered from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and included 8,992
respondents. The sample included 13,034 respondents who were interviewed at Wave 1
(the respondents were 11-19 years of age), Wave 3 (the respondents were 18026 years old
age) and 4 (respondents were 24-32 years of age). Only participants who completed the
interview and self-reported STD status and maltreatment in the past were included (3,967
males, 4,955 females).
- The measures of the study included STD urine test during Wave 3, a retrospective Add
Health assessment during Wave 3 and Wave 4. Wave 4 also included assessment of
physical and sexual abuse.
- The measures for sexual risk behaviors which were hypothesized to be potential
mediators between STD status and maltreatment included: number of sexual partners in
the last year, consistency of condom use and age at first intercourse.
- As hypothesized the authors confirmed that each form of maltreatment was associated
with an increased odds of recent STD (among females), however the same was not found
for males.
- While controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, the results showed
a positive association between physical abuse in childhood and recent positive (test-
identified) STD results. In addition, physical abuse and neglect was positively associated
with STD status.
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

- Strength – Many of the works discussed within the literature review have included small
samples that are not able to generalize to a large population. This research has obtained a
national probability sample to obtain population-level estimates.
- Strength – unlike some of the qualitative research discussed in this paper, this study
doesn’t only rely on self-reports of risky sexual behavior. By using a urine sample to test
STD status, the authors were able to rid the study of social desirability bias.
- Limitation – maltreatment histories rely on retrospective self-reports, participants may be
reluctant to share this information or be unable to recall them accurately which can
damage the quality of the research. The use of computer assisted self-interviewing
technology may have diminished this problem.
- In conclusion, the authors were able to show that both females and males who
experienced maltreatment in childhood has a higher likelihood of STDs.
- The implication of this research again reiterates the connections between childhood
sexual abuse and the prevalence of risky sexual activity which could result in STD
diagnosis.

6. Wilson, H. W., & Widom, C. S. (2011). Pathways from childhood abuse and neglect to
HIV-risk sexual behavior in middle adulthood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 79(2), 236–246. doi: 10.1037/a0022915

This assignment is comprised of a literature review regarding the topic: Sexual Abuse and
Antecedent Risky Sexual Behavior. The author will explore six qualitative and six
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

quantitative research studies related to the topics of sexual abuse and risky sexual
behavior, and analyze the strengths, limitations, research methods, study relevancy to the
general topic, as well as their implications on counselling practices.

Keywords: sexual abuse, risky behavior, sexuality, childhood sexual abuse, mental
health
Notes
- According to the American College Health Association (2011), 70% of college students
in the United States are sexually active, and nearly 50% of those who were sexually
active report that they did not use a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse.
In addition, college aged students engage in more casual sex, sex under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, and have concurrent sexual partners (Ravert et al., 2009).
- Consequently, of sexual risk taking is costly on an individual as well as societal level.
- There are a broad range of negative psychosocial, physical and sexual health outcomes
associated with exposure to sexual abuse in early life.
- Research shows that childhood sexual abuse is related to an increased risk of suicidal
behavior, poor family relations, lower self-esteem, mental health issues (e.g. depression,
anxiety, intimacy, trust issues), and risky sexual behavior including: earlier sexual debut
(Ramiro et al. 2010), increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (Abajobir, Kisely,
Williams, Strathearn, Najman, 2018), multiple sexual partners (Chartier, Walker, &
Naimark, 2009), lower sexual satisfaction, increased number of sexual partners and
unprotected intercourse, lower condom use (Houck, et al.,(2010).
- increased risk of HIV infection, lower self-esteem and self-efficacy in sexual relations as
well as negative psychological outcomes; depression, anxiety, issues with trust and
intimacy.

Ramiro, L. S., Madrid, B. J., & Brown, D. W. (2010). Adverse childhood experiences
(ACE) and health-risk behaviors among adults in a developing country setting. Child
Abuse and Neglect, 34, 842–855. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.02.012
Chartier, M. J., Walker, J. R., & Naimark, B. (2009). Health risk behaviors and mental
health problems as mediators of the relationship between childhood abuse and adult
 Qualitative & Quantitative Articles for Final Paper

health. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 847–854.

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.06.009
Houck, C. D., Nugent, N. R., Lescano, C. M., Peters, A., & Brown, L. K. (2009). Sexual
abuse and sexual risk behavior: Beyond the impact of psychiatric problems. Journal of
Pediatric Psychology, 35, 473–483. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp111
- LIMITATIONS in the studies
o Generalizability is low since the studies have focused on specific populations
(girls only, women only etc.)
o Have not looked at socioeconomic cofounders
o Have only looked at gender on a binary, have not considered LGBTQ or gender
non-conforming population
Introduction
- The following paper focuses on sexual abuse and potential antecedent negative effects.
Chiefly, this paper will examine if there is evidence in recent literature that captures the
relationship between sexual abuse and risky sexual behavior. The operational definition
of sexual abuse in this paper will include a history of sexual abuse experienced in
childhood, adolescence and adult life; abuse from strangers and partners, singular or
repeated instances of abuse.
- Negative effects of sexual abuse explored will include risky sexual behavior (condom
use, HIV preventative measures, multiple partners).
- Criteria used for including literature will involve examining the study’s sample size.
Studies which use a sample smaller than ten subjects will not be considered. Furthermore,
to provide evidence from a broad spectrum of studies, six qualitative and six quantitative
studies will be examined.
- This paper will include both qualitative and quantitative designs which the author will
critically examine to analyze its appropriateness in researching the topic at hand.
Background
- A vast amount of research has been dedicated to assessing the effects of sexual abuse and
other forms of maltreatment. Research has shown that childhood maltreatment is a
significant predictor of sexual risk taking,
Problem Statement
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- The purpose of this literature review is to examine the ways in which sexual abuse can
probe negative cognitions and behaviors pertaining to the self, as well as in one’s
relationships. Specifically, the goals of the LR are to understand a) if there are
associations between sexual abuse and risky sexual behavior, b) what the risky behaviors
entail c) treatment options specific to those with histories of sexual abuse who exhibit
sexually risky behaviors.
- As research suggests, there questions are important in examining the residual and
overarching psychological and physical burdens caused by sexual abuse.
Literature Review
- There is a vast among of research pertaining to early sexual abuse (i.e childhood) and
antecedent risky sexual behavior as well as other risky behaviors such as substance abuse.

References
American College Health Association. (2011). American College Health Association National
College Health Assessment: Reference Group Executive Summary. Retrieved October 19, 2012
from http:// www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA-
II_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2011.pdf.

Ravert, R. D., Schwartz, S. J., Zamboanga, B. L., Kim, S. Y., Weisskirch, R. S., & Bersamin, M.
(2009). Sensation seeking and danger invulnerability: Paths to college student risk-
taking. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(7), 763–768. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2009.06.017