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Childhood Sexual Abuse (childhood + sexual_abuse)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Psychology	60%
Medical Sciences	34%
2 Other Domains	6%

Distribution within Psychology

Clinical Psychology	51%
Developmental Psychology	11%

Selected Abstracts

PARTNER AWARENESS REGARDING THE ADULT SEQUELAE OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SURVIVORS

JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 2 2003
Noelle S. Wiersma
This qualitative study investigates factors that may facilitate or impede awareness within couples regarding the sequelae of chuildhood sexual abuse for adult females and their partner. Six couples were interviewed about perceived effects of the abuse for self and partner and their perceptions regarding their awareness of these effects. Transcribed data were analyzed using grounded-theory methodolgy. Emergent themes regarding potential barriers to and facilitators of agreement are outlined in the context of the expressive and receptive abilities and motivations of each partner in communicating about the abuse. Preliminary implications for marriage and family therapy and further research are provided. [source]

The Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adolescent Pregnancy: An Integrative Research Review

JOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2008
Melissa A. Francisco
PURPOSE.,This study aims to describe the current research literature on the relationship of childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy and highlight the potential cross-cutting risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS.,Thirteen articles were identified as the basis of this review using Cooper's methodology (1998) for synthesizing research. Articles were categorized according to the levels of evidence proposed by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2005). RESULTS.,The majority of the studies identified a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy (n = 9). Cross-cutting risk factors included female gender, younger age, substance use/abuse, family constellation, parent,child conflict, and mother disengagement. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,Strategies for nurses to identify pregnant and parenting adolescents who have been sexually victimized are important for early intervention. Resiliency factors of young people who report positive outcomes are highlighted. [source]

The Legacy of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Family Adversity

JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 4 2008
Donna S. Martsolf
Purpose: To describe the process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Design: A community-based, qualitative, grounded-theory design. Methods: In this grounded theory study, data were drawn from open-ended interviews conducted as part of a larger study of women's and men's responses to sexual violence. The current study indicates the experiences of 48 female and 40 male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and family adversity. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Findings: Participants described a sense of inheriting a life of abuse and adversity. The process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse is labeled Living the Family Legacy. The theory representing the process of Living the Family Legacy includes three major life patterns: (a) being stuck in the family legacy, (b) being plagued by the family legacy, and (c) rejecting the family legacy/creating a new one. Associated with these life patterns are three processes by which participants passed on a legacy to others, often their children: (a) passing on the family legacy, (b) taking a stab at passing on a new legacy, and (c) passing on a new legacy. Conclusions: The legacy of abuse and adversity has a profound effect on the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. There are several trajectories by which the influence of childhood adversity unfolds in the lives of adult survivors and by which the legacy is passed on to others. Clinical Relevance: The model representing the theoretical process of Living the Family Legacy can be used by clinicians who work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and childhood adversity, especially those who have parenting concerns. [source]

The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Later Sexual Victimization among Runaway Youth

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2001
Kimberly A. Tyler
Path analysis was used to investigate the impact of childhood sexual abuse on later sexual victimization among 372 homeless and runaway youth in Seattle. Young people were interviewed directly on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers in youth service agencies. High rates of both childhood sexual abuse and street sexual victimization were reported, with females experiencing much greater rates compared with their male counterparts. Early sexual abuse in the home increased the likelihood of later sexual victimization on the streets indirectly by increasing the amount of time at risk, deviant peer affiliations, participating in deviant subsistence strategies, and engaging in survival sex. These findings suggest that exposure to dysfunctional and disorganized homes place youth on trajectories for early independence. Subsequently, street life and participation in high-risk behaviors increases their probability of sexual victimization. [source]

Childhood Sexual Abuse Affects Cervical Cancer Screening

NURSING FOR WOMENS HEALTH, Issue 6 2002
Carolyn Davis Cockey
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

The catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism modulates the association of serious life events (SLE) and impulsive aggression in female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD)

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010
S. Wagner
Wagner S, Baskaya Ö, Anicker NJ, Dahmen N, Lieb K, Tadi, A. The catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism modulates the association of serious life events (SLE) and impulsive aggression in female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Objective:, We analyzed i) the effects of serious life events (SLE) on impulsive aggression, and ii) modulating effects of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on the association between SLEs and impulsive aggression in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Method:, One hundred and twelve female BPD patients from Germany were included in this study. Impulsive aggression was assessed by the Buss-Durkee-Hostility Inventory (BDHI). Results:, Childhood sexual abuse was associated with lower BDHI sum score (P = 0.003). In COMT Val158Val carriers, but not in Val/Met and Met/Met carriers, childhood sexual abuse and the cumulative number of SLEs were associated with lower BDHI sum scores (P < 0.05). Conclusion:, This study analyzing a specific gene × environment interaction in female BPD patients suggests an association between SLEs and impulsive aggression, as well as a modulating effect of the COMT Val158Val genotype on the relation between SLEs and impulsive aggression. [source]

Childhood sexual abuse and obesity

OBESITY REVIEWS, Issue 3 2004
T. B. Gustafson
Summary The causes of the current obesity epidemic are multifactorial and include genetic, environmental, and individual factors. One potential risk factor may be the experience of childhood sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse is remarkably common and is thought to affect up to one-third of women and one-eighth of men. A history of childhood sexual abuse is associated with numerous psychological sequelae including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, somatization, and eating disorders. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult obesity. These studies suggest at least a modest relationship between the two. Potential explanations for the relationship have focused on the role of disordered eating, particularly binge eating, as well as the possible ,adaptive function' of obesity in childhood sexual abuse survivors. Nevertheless, additional research on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and obesity is clearly needed, not only to address the outstanding empirical issues but also to guide clinical care. [source]

The catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism modulates the association of serious life events (SLE) and impulsive aggression in female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Personality traits as prospective predictors of suicide attempts

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009
S. Yen
Objective:, To examine higher order personality factors of negative affectivity (NA) and disinhibition (DIS), as well as lower order facets of impulsivity, as prospective predictors of suicide attempts in a predominantly personality disordered sample. Method:, Data were analyzed from 701 participants of the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study with available follow-up data for up to 7 years. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses was used to examine NA and DIS, and facets of impulsivity (e.g. urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation and sensation seeking), as prospective predictors of suicide attempts. Results:, NA, DIS and all facets of impulsivity except for sensation seeking were significant in univariate analyses. In multivariate models which included sex, childhood sexual abuse, course of major depressive disorder and substance use disorders, only NA and lack of premeditation remained significant in predicting suicide attempts. DIS and the remaining impulsivity facets were not significant. Conclusion:, NA emerged as a stronger and more robust predictor of suicide attempts than DIS and impulsivity, and warrants greater attention in suicide risk assessment. Distinguishing between facets of impulsivity is important for clinical risk assessment. [source]

The impact of physical and sexual abuse on body image in eating disorders

EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 2 2005
Tamás Treuer
Abstract Objective The role of childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor for the development of eating disorders has gained considerable attention in the literature in the last few years, especially its role in bulimia nervosa. Although physical abuse was also frequently explored in the history of patients with eating disorders, its role was unclear in the aetiopathogenesis of these disorders. The goal of our study was to test the hypothesis, based on our clinical experience, that physical abuse is more frequent in eating disorders than thought previously and that the patient's distortion in body image is more severe in these cases. Method A standardized interview method was used to elicit details of physical and sexual abuse in a group of 63 patients with eating disorders. The frequency of laxative use and the severity of body image distortion was also examined with the Body Attitude Test. These clinical data were analysed on the whole sample and also on the subgroups of eating disorders. Results We found significantly more severe body image distortions in those patients who had been physically abused (p,<,0.05) and there were significantly more severe body image distortions in those patients who had a history of laxative abuse (p,<,0.001). Sexual abuse occured in 29%, physical abuse in 57% and laxative abuse in 46% within the whole sample of examined eating disorder patients. Physical abuse and laxative abuse were the most frequent in the binge eating/purging type of anorexia nervosa (92% and 69%). Also, these patients had the worse rates on sexual abuse and body image distortion items. According to our results, the presence of sexual abuse was not associated with more severe body image distortion in eating disorder patients. Conclusions Childhood physical abuse seems to be a more important factor in the development of body image distortion than had been thought before; its importance in this aspect may be greater than sexual abuse. Physical abuse, laxative abuse and the binge,purge subtype in anorexia nervosa are a considerable risk factor for the severity of the distortion in body image and their presence makes the prognosis of the eating disorder worse. Further studies of the nature of these relationships are warranted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]

GENETIC STUDY: H2 haplotype at chromosome 17q21.31 protects against childhood sexual abuse-associated risk for alcohol consumption and dependence

ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Elliot C. Nelson
ABSTRACT Animal research supports a central role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in actions of ethanol on brain function. An examination of alcohol consumption in adolescents reported a significant genotype × environment (G × E) interaction involving rs1876831, a corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) polymorphism, and negative events. CRHR1 and at least four other genes are located at 17q21.31 in an extremely large block of high linkage disequilibrium resulting from a local chromosomal inversion; the minor allele of rs1876831 is contained within the H2 haplotype. Here, we examine whether G × E interactions involving this haplotype and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are associated with risk for alcohol consumption and dependence in Australian participants (n = 1128 respondents from 476 families) of the Nicotine Addiction Genetics project. Telephone interviews provided data on DSM-IV alcohol dependence diagnosis and CSA and enabled calculation of lifetime alcohol consumption factor score (ACFS) from four indices of alcohol consumption. Individuals reporting a history of CSA had significantly higher ACFS and increased risk for alcohol dependence. A significant G × E interaction was found for ACFS involving the H2 haplotype and CSA (P < 0.017). A similar G × E interaction was associated with protective effects against alcohol dependence risk (odds ratio 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.20,0.89). For each outcome, no significant CSA-associated risk was observed in H2 haplotype carriers. These findings support conducting further investigation of the H2 haplotype to determine the gene(s) responsible. Our results also suggest that severe early trauma may prove to be an important clinical covariate in the treatment of alcohol dependence. [source]

Parent, child, and contextual predictors of childhood physical punishment

INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2002
Lianne J. Woodward
Abstract Data gathered over the course of an 18-year longitudinal study of 1025 New Zealand children were used to: (a) develop a profile of the maternal, child, and contextual factors associated with differing levels of exposure to maternal physical punishment, and (b) identify the key predictors of maternal physical punishment as reported by young people at age 18. Results revealed the presence of clear linear associations between the extent of young people's reported exposure to physical punishment and a wide range of maternal, child, and contextual factors. The key predictors of physical punishment suggested that the psychosocial profile of those mothers at greatest risk of physically punishing or mistreating their child was that of a young woman with a personal history of strict parenting who entered motherhood at an early age, and who was attempting to parent a behaviourally difficult child within a dysfunctional family environment characterized by elevated rates of inter-parental violence and childhood sexual abuse. These findings were consistent with a cumulative risk factor model in which increasing risk factor exposure is associated with increasing levels of child physical punishment/maltreatment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

An integrative quantitative model of factors influencing the course of anorexia nervosa over time

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2009
Michal Yackobovitch-Gavan PhD
Abstract Objective: To identify factors influencing the course of anorexia nervosa (AN) over time. Method: Former female patients with AN (36 remitted and 24 nonremitted) and 31 healthy females responded to standardized interviews and self-rating questionnaires. Remitted patients maintained normal eating, normal weight, and regular menses for the past 12 months. Patients not fulfilling these criteria were considered nonremitted. Results: Using logistic regression, we identified that number of hospitalizations, duration of ambulatory treatment, past vegetarianism, past anxiety, and childhood sexual abuse differentiated remitted from nonremitted patients, predicting nonremission. A similar analysis identified that elevated follow-up vegetarianism and eating-related concerns and lower body mass index (BMI) differentiated remitted from nonremitted patients, contributing to nonremission. Univariate analyses identified that remitted patients had elevated anxiety and eating-related obsessionality compared with the controls, suggesting these variables to potentially predispose to AN. Discussion: Elevated anxiety and eating-related obsessionality may increase the risk for the development of AN and for nonremission. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009 [source]

Childhood abuse and eating disorders in gay and bisexual men

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 5 2007
Matthew B. Feldman PhD
Abstract Objective: This study examines the association between eating disorders and a history of childhood abuse in gay and bisexual men, and how substance abuse and depression might impact this relationship. Method: 193 white, black, Latino gay, and bisexual men were sampled from community venues. DSM-IV diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder were assessed using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: Men with a history of childhood sexual abuse are significantly more likely to have subclinical bulimia or any current full-syndrome or subclinical eating disorder compared with men who do not have a history of childhood sexual abuse. A history of depression and/or substance use disorders did not mediate this relationship. Conclusion: Researchers should study other potential explanations of the relationship between a history of childhood abuse and eating disorders in gay and bisexual men. Clinicians working with gay and bisexual men who have a history of childhood abuse should assess for disordered eating as a potential mechanism to cope with the emotional sequelae associated with abuse. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007. [source]

Pathways mediating sexual abuse and eating disturbance in children

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001
Stephen Wonderlich
Abstract Objective To examine the relationship between childhood maltreatment and eating disorders in a sample of children. Method Twenty 10,15-year-old female children who were receiving treatment following reported childhood sexual abuse and 20 age-matched controls were compared on a series of measures assessing eating disorder behaviors, body image concerns, substance use, mood, impulsive behavior, and self-concept. Results Sexually abused children reported higher levels of eating disorder behaviors, impulsive behaviors, and drug abuse than controls. Furthermore, behavioral impulsivity provided the strongest mediational effect between a history of childhood sexual abuse and purging and restrictive dieting behavior. Drug use proved to be a significant secondary mediator of the childhood sexual abuse eating disorder behavior association. Discussion These data support the hypothesis that childhood sexual abuse is related to disordered eating in children, and extend similar findings that have been previously reported with adults. Behavioral impulsivity and drug use appear to be significant mechanisms that influence eating disorder behavior following childhood sexual abuse. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 270,279, 2001. [source]

Parental medical neglect in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001
Victor Fornari
Abstract Objective Although childhood sexual abuse has been a frequent focus of research on eating disorders, other forms of maltreatment have been less commonly reported. Parental medical neglect is examined in this study as having serious consequences for the treatment and prognosis of patients with anorexia nervosa. Method Two case studies illustrate parental interference with treatment in which Child Protective Services (CPS) had to be involved in compliance with state law. Two adolescent females who were admitted for treatment for anorexia nervosa are presented. Results In both cases, the parents refused to comply with the recommendations of the treatment team, placing their children's health in jeopardy. In compliance with reporting guidelines, CPS was notified in both cases. Conclusions Clinicians who treat minors with anorexia nervosa must consider parental compliance with treatment. Indications for the involvement of CPS are outlined. Optimally, this notification can ensure that the patient and family receive the requisite treatment. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 358,362, 2001. [source]

The Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adolescent Pregnancy: An Integrative Research Review

Associations of Sexual Victimization, Depression, and Sexual Assertiveness with Unprotected Sex: A Test of the Multifaceted Model of HIV Risk Across Gender

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009
Patricia J. Morokoff
This study examined whether the Multifaceted Model of HIV Risk (MMOHR) would predict unprotected sex based on predictors including gender, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), sexual victimization (SV), depression, and sexual assertiveness for condom use. A community-based sample of 473 heterosexually active men and women, aged 18,46 years completed survey measures of model variables. Gender predicted several variables significantly. A separate model for women demonstrated excellent fit, while the model for men demonstrated reasonable fit. Multiple sample model testing supported the use of MMOHR in both men and women, while simultaneously highlighting areas of gender difference. Prevention interventions should focus on sexual assertiveness, especially for CSA and SV survivors, as well as targeting depression, especially among men. [source]

Mindfulness intervention for child abuse survivors,

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Elizabeth Kimbrough
Abstract Twenty-seven adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse participated in a pilot study comprising an 8-week mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and daily home practice of mindfulness skills. Three refresher classes were provided through final follow-up at 24 weeks. Assessments of depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and mindfulness, were conducted at baseline, 4, 8, and 24 weeks. At 8 weeks, depressive symptoms were reduced by 65%. Statistically significant improvements were observed in all outcomes post-MBSR, with effect sizes above 1.0. Improvements were largely sustained until 24 weeks. Of three PTSD symptom criteria, symptoms of avoidance/numbing were most greatly reduced. Compliance to class attendance and home practice was high, with the intervention proving safe and acceptable to participants. These results warrant further investigation of the MBSR approach in a randomized, controlled trial in this patient population. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66: 1,18, 2010. [source]

The connections between childhood sexual abuse and human immunodeficiency virus infection: Implications for interventions

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Nalini Tarakeshwar
A qualitative study was conducted with 28 women who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),positive and have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in order to examine (1) the challenges generated by the experience of sexual abuse and related coping strategies, (2) the impact of the HIV diagnosis on their coping strategies, and (3) the links perceived by the women between their CSA and HIV infection. The interviews revealed that CSA raised challenges in four areas: disclosure of the abuse, sexual problems, relationship difficulties, and psychological distress. The women used two strategies to cope with their CSA: illicit substances to numb their emotional distress and sexual activity, and alienation to gain control in relationships. When diagnosed with HIV, the women initially coped with their illness by using these two strategies. The women reported that, over time, they were able to accept their HIV illness, seek social support, find alternative sources of significance, and use spirituality to sustain their growth. However, they continued to suffer psychological distress related to their sexual trauma. Further, most of the women did not perceive any connection between the two traumas. Implications of these findings for secondary prevention interventions with women who have HIV and experience of CSA are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 655,672, 2005. [source]

The Legacy of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Family Adversity

Challenging gender stereotypes in the counselling of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2004
P. E. SIMPSON ba ma rmn
When working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the pairing of client with practitioner has implications for both parties. Many therapeutic pairings are ad hoc or based on stereotypical assumptions made by referrers or practitioners themselves. This paper reports on a small-scale study of practitioners working in the mental health directorate of an NHS Trust in Wales. One aim of the study was to explore practitioners' views on appropriate therapeutic pairings. Fifty-three respondents completed a postal questionnaire and six face-to-face interviews were also conducted. Key themes emerged from the study. These were social and cultural stereotyping, gender specific issues, the therapeutic relationship, service and professional issues and special opinions and unique angles. The terms ,therapist' and ,practitioner' will be used interchangeably in this paper. [source]

The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Later Sexual Victimization among Runaway Youth

Suicide risk factors and mediators between childhood sexual abuse and suicide ideation among male and female suicide attempters,

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 5 2009
Megan Spokas
The current study examined the manner in which childhood sexual abuse (CSA) history relates to risk factors for suicidal behavior among recent suicide attempters (n = 166). Men who recently attempted suicide and endorsed a CSA history had higher scores on measures of hopelessness and suicide ideation than men without a CSA history. Men with a CSA history were also more likely to have made multiple suicide attempts and meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. In contrast, there were fewer group differences as a function of CSA history among the female suicide attempters. Hopelessness was a significant mediator between CSA history and suicide ideation in both men and women. [source]

Resiliency among individuals with childhood sexual abuse and HIV: Perspectives on addressing sexual trauma

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 4 2006
Nalini Tarakeshwar
This study examined how resiliency (represented by optimism, social support, religiosity, and finding growth and meaning), within the context of perceived impact of sexual trauma and HIV-related stress, was linked to perspectives on addressing trauma among individuals (N = 266) with HIV and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that lower resiliency and greater HIV-related stress were related to negative feelings about addressing trauma, whereas greater resiliency and higher perceived impact of sexual trauma were associated with positive feelings about addressing trauma. Findings suggest that multiple factors influence perspectives on addressing trauma among individuals with HIV and CSA, and that resiliency might influence these attitudes. [source]

Psychophysiological reactivity in female sexual abuse survivors

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 4 2001
Annmarie McDonagh-Coyle
Abstract This study examined psychophysiological reactivity in 37 female childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. After assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatric comorbidity, and trauma history, we conducted a psychophysiological assessment of forehead muscle tension, electrodermal activity, and heart rate during a mental arithmetic task and 4 script-driven imagery tasks (neutral, consensual sex, pleasant, and trauma). PTSD symptom severity correlated positively with psychophysiologic changes and negative emotions during the trauma imagery task. During mental arithmetic, PTSD symptom severity correlated negatively with autonomic changes and positively with negative emotions. These results extend earlier PTSD research showing trauma-specific increased psychophysiological reactivity related to CSA in women with PTSD. They further suggest a negative association between PTSD severity and autonomic reactions to mental arithmetic. [source]

Childhood sexual abuse and obesity

Childhood trauma and marital outcomes in adulthood

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2006
MARK A. WHISMAN
Although existing research suggests that certain childhood traumas such as childhood sexual abuse are associated with interpersonal (e.g., marital) difficulties in adulthood, there has been limited research on interpersonal sequelae of other types of traumas. In addition, the association between childhood traumas and interpersonal outcomes has often been limited to a particular outcome such as divorce, and existing studies have rarely controlled for the co-occurrence of other traumas when evaluating interpersonal outcomes. The current study sought to evaluate the associations between 7 childhood traumas and 2 marital outcomes,marital disruption (i.e., divorce and separation) and marital satisfaction,in a large, national probability sample. Results from univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that (a) probability of marital disruption was higher among people who during childhood had experienced physical abuse, rape, or serious physical attack or assault; and (b) current marital satisfaction was lower among people who during childhood had experienced rape or sexual molestation. Results support the importance of childhood traumas in predicting 2 important marital outcomes. [source]

Struggling to Survive: Sexual Assault, Poverty, and Mental Health Outcomes of African American Women

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010
Thema Bryant-Davis
A substantial body of research documents the mental health consequences of sexual assault including, but not limited to, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use, and suicidality. Far less attention has been given to the mental health effects of sexual assault for ethnic minority women or women living in poverty. Given African American women's increased risk for sexual assault and increased risk for persistent poverty, the current study explores the relationship between income and mental health effects within a sample of 413 African American sexual assault survivors. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for childhood sexual abuse there were positive relationships between poverty and mental health outcomes of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and illicit drug use. There was no significant relationship between poverty and suicidal ideation. Counseling and research implications are discussed. [source]

Planting false memories for childhood sexual abuse only happens to emotionally disturbed people,,not me or my friends

APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Kathy Pezdek
Pezdek et al. (2006) reported that although imagining a plausible event increased people's belief in the event, imagining an implausible event did not. In response, Rubin and Berntsen (2007) conducted a survey and reported that only 17.8% considered it implausible that someone ,with longstanding emotional problems and a need for psychotherapy' could be a victim of childhood sexual abuse and forget the abuse. We replicated but qualified their findings; perceptions of the plausibility of this event for (a) respondents themselves and (b) other people in their cohort were substantially lower than the perceived general plausibility reported by Rubin and Berntsen. These findings limit the generalizability of Rubin and Berntsen's results to perceptions of personal plausibility and cohort plausibility, even for individuals indicating that they are likely to seek psychotherapy. Consequently, the risk of inducing false memories in psychotherapy may not be a ,substantial danger' as Rubin and Berntsen suggest. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]