Revictimization rates and method variance: a meta-analysis.

The present meta-analytic review examined revictimization rates and sources of variance among rates provided by 19 empirical studies of adult females. In this review, revictimization refers to the occurrence of at least one incident of childhood sexual abuse followed by a subsequent incident of adult sexual victimization. Studies were included in the review if they provided rates of revictimization and had a comparison sample of nonrevictimized women. The overall effect size for revictimization was .59, a moderate effect, suggesting a definite relationship between childhood victimization and adult victimization experiences. The overall effect size was heterogeneous and various study characteristics and definition issues were examined to determine their effect on revictimization rates. The most striking, although not surprising finding, was that studies in which more inclusive definitions of abuse were utilized yielded smaller effect sizes than studies that used more restrictive definitions of abuse. Studies that examine victimization or revictimization are often concerned with learning more about the phenomenon with the expectation that by understanding the underlying mechanism, prevention and treatment can be better focused. The interpretation given to results from past and future studies should take into account those factors found to influence estimations of revictimization rates.

A bibliotherapy approach to relapse prevention in individuals with panic attacks.

The present study examined a relapse prevention (RP) program delivered via bibliotherapy in the treatment of individuals with panic attacks. Compared with a wait list control group, individuals receiving RP exhibited significant reductions on measures of frequency of panic attacks, panic cognitions, anticipatory anxiety, avoidance, and depression. In addition, individuals in the RP group were more likely to attain a "clinically significant change" in status on both panic-free status and level of avoidance more frequently than individuals in the control group. When compared with treatment effects evaluated in two prior phases of the study, the obtained results appear to be the product of a synchronous effect of bibliotherapy and minimal phone contact during the 6-month follow-up period. The results reflect the importance of brief therapist contact in increasing motivation for active participation in bibliotherapy interventions.

Interpersonal and self-reported hostility among combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

The present study investigated self-reported and interpersonal hostility in 70 Vietnam combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 60 comparison community volunteer subjects. Veterans were 50 help-seeking, male Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD and 20 non-help-seeking male combat veterans without PTSD. Vietnam veterans with PTSD not only reported more hostility than non-PTSD veterans and healthy community volunteers, but also reacted behaviorally with more hostility during an interpersonal interaction. Compared to veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD reported significantly higher levels of hostility and demonstrated significantly greater non-verbal expressions of hostility during an interpersonal task. These results suggest that the level of hostility in PTSD combat veterans may be high as compared to comparison groups. The implications of these results and possible research directions are presented.

Smoking in Vietnam combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The present study investigated smoking prevalence, smoking motives, demographic variables and psychological symptoms in 124 help-seeking, male Vietnam combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A high percentage of these veterans smoked (60%). Vietnam veterans with PTSD who smoked were more likely than those who did not smoke to report higher levels of PTSD symptoms, depression and trait anxiety. Increased depression was associated with increased automatic smoking. Smokers reported a high frequency of smoking in response to military memories. Implications for smoking interventions, cessation, and relapse prevention efforts are discussed.