Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Sexual Assault, Substance Use, and Delinquency Among Female Adolescents: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample.

PURPOSE: Few studies have explored relations among sexual assault and prospective development of high-risk behaviors among adolescent girls.

METHODS: The present study examined longitudinal associations among child sexual assault (CSA) and high-risk behaviors (nonexperimental alcohol and drug use; delinquent behavior) in a nationally representative sample of adolescent girls aged 12-17.

RESULTS: Using path modeling, findings provided support for the link between CSA and nonexperimental alcohol use, drug use, and delinquent behavior after controlling for demographic characteristics and Time 1 functioning. Additionally, past 6-month post-traumatic stress disorder assessed at Time 1 was significantly associated with CSA and delinquency measured at Time 2, although the indirect effects did not reach traditional levels of significance.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CSA may potentiate risk for a number of public health problems.