Transdiagnostic Psychopathology Mediates the Relationship between Childhood Sexual Abuse & HIV/AIDS & Other Sexually Transmitted Infections In Adulthood

Exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with elevated rates of mental disorders, sexual risk behavior, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adulthood. Mental disorders themselves are associated with an increased risk for HIV/AIDs and STIs as well, and thus may mediate the association between CSA and HIV/AIDS and other STIs. The links among CSA, disorders, and STIs are unclear, however. 

The current study tested the hypothesis that the association of CSA with STIs is mediated by adult transdiagnostic psychopathology. We examined the potential mediating role of transdiagnostic psychopathology factors-internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT)-in the association between CSA and receiving a past-year diagnosis of HIV, AIDS, or another STI in a large, national probability sample of adults (N=34,653). Using indirect effects modeling, we found that 54.4% of the association between CSA and subsequent HIV/AIDS/STI diagnosis operated through transdiagnostic psychopathology. 

The proposed mediation model was supported, indicating that individuals reporting CSA had higher estimated levels of latent general liabilities for INT and EXT disorders, and it was largely these liabilities that accounted for the link between CSA and heightened risk of adult HIV, AIDS, and STI diagnoses.

Via:  http://ht.ly/S1Ono

By:  Latack JA1, Rodriguez-Seijas C2, Stohl M3, Blanco C4, Hasin DS4, Eaton NR5.

• 1Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA. Electronic address: jessicalatack@gmail.com.
• 2Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA. Electronic address: craig.rodriguez.seijas@gmail.com.
• 3New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
• 4New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
• 5Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA.