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Article
A Preliminary Examination of Negative Life Events and Sexual Assault Victimization as Predictors of Psychological Functioning in Female College Students: Does One Matter More Than the Other?
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
  • Edward C. Chang, University of Michigan
  • Jerin Lee, University of Michigan
  • Lily E. Morris, University of Michigan
  • Abigael G. Lucas, University of Michigan
  • Olivia D. Chang, Research in Action Academy
  • Jameson K. Hirsch, East Tennessee State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-13-2017
Description

The present study examined negative life events (NLEs) and sexual assault victimization as predictors of positive and negative psychological functioning in a sample of 151 female college students. Results obtained from conducting regression analyses indicated several notable patterns. NLEs, compared with sexual assault victimization, were a stronger negative predictor of positive functioning based on indices related to subjective well-being (e.g., life satisfaction, positive affect). Alternatively, sexual assault victimization, compared with NLEs, was a stronger positive predictor of negative functioning based on indices related to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (e.g., anxiety) and related conditions (e.g., alcohol use). Furthermore, both NLEs and sexual assault victimization were found to be positive predictors of negative functioning based on indices related to suicide risk (e.g., depressive symptoms, suicidal behaviors). Overall, our findings indicate that both NLEs and sexual assault victimization represent important and distinct predictors of psychological functioning in female college students.

Citation Information
Edward C. Chang, Jerin Lee, Lily E. Morris, Abigael G. Lucas, et al.. "A Preliminary Examination of Negative Life Events and Sexual Assault Victimization as Predictors of Psychological Functioning in Female College Students: Does One Matter More Than the Other?" Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2017) ISSN: 0886-2605
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jameson-hirsch/93/