Casual sex, although common in college culture, can increase the risk of sexual victimization, which in turn can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined sexual victimization, self-esteem, and social support as relative predictors of PTSD and risky casual sex (RCS) in a sample of 229 female undergraduates. Results suggested that enhancing self-esteem may have a greater relative impact on PTSD symptoms compared with social support, even after accounting for the impact of sexual victimization. Moreover, a reduction in PTSD symptoms may have the potential to minimize RCS. Future research is needed to determine temporal relations among these variables.
Seigie Kennedy, Christina Balderrama-Durbin. Risky Casual Sex and Posttraumatic Stress in College Females: An Examination of Assault History, Self-Esteem, and Social Support. Violence against women. 2021 Dec;27(15-16):3074-3092
PMID: 33830837
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