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

Few studies have explored relations among sexual assault and prospective development of high-risk behaviors among adolescent girls. 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. 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. These findings suggest that CSA may potentiate risk for a number of public health problems.