Intimate Partner Violence and Drinking Among Victims of Adult Sexual Assault.

Intimate partner violence is associated with problem drinking. Correlates of alcohol consumption frequency and problem drinking were examined among female sexual assault survivors (N = 1863). Data were analyzed with blockwise multiple regressions. Results show heavy alcohol consumption and problem drinking were associated with intimate partner violence history, sexual assault by strangers/acquaintances, and maladaptive coping. Physical Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) history and partner sexual assault showed distinct effects on drinking outcomes among women. Physical IPV history partially mediated the effect of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) on problem drinking. Research is needed to examine the relationship between victimization histories and drinking among female sexual assault victims. This may enable treatments and interventions to be tailored to the trauma histories of female victims.