Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation as PTSD Mitigators in Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

Purpose and Potential benefits: Research, to our knowledge, has not examined the effect of demographic variables on PTSD symptoms among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). This study explores the relationship between demographic variables and scores of CSA survivors on the Impact of Scale (IES). Participants were 257 women CSA survivors entering outpatient treatment at a university-based mental health center. All participants reported a CSA history and presented with psychological difficulties associated with CSA. The demographic variables investigated were relationship status, religious affiliation, ethnicity, educational level, spousal educational level income, and sexual orientation. Significance tests were used to examine each variable and scores on the Total IES and Avoidance and Intrusion Subscales. Total IES and Intrusion scores differed for sexual orientation and ethnicity in accord with conventional standards of significance ( < .05). Self-reported asexuals indicated fewer intrusive and total PTSD symptoms than heterosexuals, lesbians, and bisexuals. Likewise, Hispanics reported less intrusive PTSD symptoms than Non-Hispanic Caucasians. Our findings invite further exploration of the relationship between ethnicity and sexual orientation and the long-term effects of CSA. A question for empirical investigation is whether asexuality shields against the triggering of CSA memories by a sexual relationship. Another possible area of inquiry is whether particular characteristics of Hispanic culture as a whole serve to moderate the detrimental effects of CSA.     

State Policies Affecting Cities and Counties in 1991: Shifting Federalism

States experienced considerable fiscal distress in 1991 as the recession led to widespread revenue shortfalls. In this environment, discretionary spending did not fare well. This article discusses five major policy areas: (1) state financial aid; (2) major changes in the "sorting out" of responsibilities between the state and local governments; (3) revenue diversification; (4) changes in limitations imposed on local taxes; and (5) new mandates handed down to cities and counties.     

HIV drug trademark case handed down in UK

A United Kingdom (UK) court has ruled that that the diversion to, and sale in, the UK of antiretroviral medications destined for Africa infringed the patents of Glaxo Group Ltd.     

The Blizzard of 1987: A Year of Tax Reform Activity in the States

The year 1987 was the most active one in terms of state taxreform activity within recent memory. Most states respondedto federal tax reform not only by conforming their income taxesto the new federal provisions but also by such actions as increasingtheir personal exemptions or credits, raising their standarddeductions, and/or reducing marginal tax rates. The net resultof these changes was to increase the progressivity of stateincome taxes. The most important development affecting othertaxes was Florida's ultimately failed attempt to expand thesales tax to a broad range of services. Most states did notreform their corporation income tax, but that tax may receivemore attention in the next few years. Despite the high levelof activity 1987 and the formidable obstacles to accomplishingsignificant tax reform, 1987 will probably be seen in retrospectas the beginning of a major period of state tax reform extendinginto the early 1990s.     

Ontario Court of Justice dismisses police negligence case: HIV infection a factor

On 22 February 2001, the case of Chartier v Greaves was dismissed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.