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Sexual victimization and anxiety and mood disorders: a case–control study based on the Danish registry system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2013

A. Elklit  and
M. Shevlin
A. Elklit*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
M. Shevlin
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Ulster at Magee, Northern Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Elklit, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. (Email aelklit@health.sdu.dk)
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Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to examine the relationship between rape and the subsequent psychiatric diagnosis of any anxiety or mood disorder.

Method

Data from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Danish Psychiatric Central Register were used to identify a sample of female victims who had visited a centre for rape victims during an index year and their subsequent psychiatric records were compared with a matched control group.

Results

While controlling for demographic variables and previous psychiatric disorders, the effect of sexual victimization increased the likelihood of a subsequent diagnosis of an anxiety disorder but not a mood disorder.

Conclusion

Sexual victimization significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing an anxiety disorder, and therefore victims require post-assault information and support.

Keywords

Anxiety disordercase-control studymood disorderraperegister data
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 119 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2013 

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