Citation

Steine IM, Krystal JH, Nordhus IH, Bjorvatn B, Harvey AG, Eid J, Grønli J, Milde AM, Pallesen S. J. Interpers. Violence 2012; 27(9): 1827-1843.

Affiliation

University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260511430385

PMID

22204947

Abstract

In this study of victims of sexual abuse, the aim was to investigate the role of perceived social support and abuse characteristics in self-reported insomnia, nightmare frequency, and nightmare distress. Four hundred sixty Norwegian victims of sexual abuse completed a questionnaire assessing perceived social support, abuse characteristics, insomnia, nightmare frequency, and nightmare distress. Results show that higher levels of perceived social support were related to lower scores on all symptom outcome measures. Abuse involving oral, genital, or anal penetration was related to more insomnia symptoms. Longer duration of abuse and threatening conducted by the perpetrator were related to higher nightmare frequency, while threats and abuse involving penetration were related to higher degrees of distress associated with nightmares. In conclusion, the present study provides preliminary data indicating that perceived social support may affect the nature of sleep difficulties in sexual abuse victims. Also, more severe forms of sexual abuse are related to higher levels of sleep difficulties.

Language: en