Open AccessMechanisms Underlying Sexual Violence Exposure and Psychosocial Sequelae: A Theoretical and Empirical Review
Author(s) -
Walsh Kate,
Galea Sandro,
Koenen Karestan C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical psychology: science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1468-2850
pISSN - 0969-5893
DOI - 10.1111/cpsp.12004
Subject(s) - psychology , psychosocial , clinical psychology , posttraumatic stress , poison control , interpersonal violence , mechanism (biology) , depression (economics) , human factors and ergonomics , psychiatry , developmental psychology , medicine , medical emergency , philosophy , epistemology , economics , macroeconomics
Sexual violence is associated with a range of negative mental health and behavioral sequelae, including posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ), depression, substance abuse/dependence, risky sexual behavior, and interpersonal relationship problems. However, mechanisms underlying these associations are not well understood. Identifying mechanisms that explain linkages between sexual violence and poor outcomes is of paramount importance in determining when and how to intervene to prevent or reduce the magnitude of these outcomes. This review focuses on theories that have been proposed to explain risk of negative outcomes among sexual violence victims, including the development of traumagenic dynamics and emotion dysregulation. We also review promising biological mechanisms that may explain the risk of negative outcomes among sexual violence victims, including studies concerned with epigenetic and neurobiological mechanisms.