Four hundred and thirteen African American adult women ranging from the age of 18- 71 were the participants of this study. These participants had unwanted sexual encounters since the age of 14. However, little more than half of the participants had a college education and ⅔ of the participants are single mothers or just single in general. Also most identified as hetersexuals, with a few bisexuals and lesbians. The Sexual Experiences Survey was used to assess the severity of sexual assault since the age of 14. In the study the participants had to report their most serious experience if they had experiences more than one assault. There was 74% of African American women who reported they were forced into unwanted sex acts. 35.8% of women
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In the article they studied the mental health, poverty level, and if the women are suicidal. Recent scholarships stated that even though sexual assault is prevalent, African American women may somehow be at increased risk for sexual assault.(Kilpatrick, Resnick, Ruggiero, Conoscenti, and Cauley, 2007) However, in the study, African American women reported higher of a lifetime forcible rape than any ethnicity. Even though African American women are at risk of poverty and sexual assault they do not have concrete evidence that the women are suicidal after experiencing abuse. Suicidal thoughts wasn’t a concern but depression was, African American woman and teenagers tend to become depressed after a long period of constant sexual abuse. Study states that 35% of African American had major depressive disorder. (Alim, Graves, and Mellman, 2006) Furthermore, PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) is the major mental health effect among African American sexual assault survivors. Women who were sexually assaulted in adulthood experiences more PTSD symptoms than any other survivors. Sexually Assaulted African American women experience poverty after being assaulted. Also 28% of African American women reported using illicit drugs during the last 12 months of being assaulted. African American women adults sexually assaulted survivors stated the
In the article they studied the mental health, poverty level, and if the women are suicidal. Recent scholarships stated that even though sexual assault is prevalent, African American women may somehow be at increased risk for sexual assault.(Kilpatrick, Resnick, Ruggiero, Conoscenti, and Cauley, 2007) However, in the study, African American women reported higher of a lifetime forcible rape than any ethnicity. Even though African American women are at risk of poverty and sexual assault they do not have concrete evidence that the women are suicidal after experiencing abuse. Suicidal thoughts wasn’t a concern but depression was, African American woman and teenagers tend to become depressed after a long period of constant sexual abuse. Study states that 35% of African American had major depressive disorder. (Alim, Graves, and Mellman, 2006) Furthermore, PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) is the major mental health effect among African American sexual assault survivors. Women who were sexually assaulted in adulthood experiences more PTSD symptoms than any other survivors. Sexually Assaulted African American women experience poverty after being assaulted. Also 28% of African American women reported using illicit drugs during the last 12 months of being assaulted. African American women adults sexually assaulted survivors stated the