Title
Psychological Characteristics of Women Who Do or Do Not Report a History of Sexual Abuse
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
2003-1
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Child Abuse, Sexual; Stress, Psychological; Women; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent form of violence in our society. The exact number of women sexually abused as children is not known, as the estimated rates vary from 6% to 62%. This study examined the psychological characteristics of women with and without a history of CSA. A nonclinical sample of 255 undergraduate women served as volunteer participants. The variables measured included: Adult Romantic Attachment, Depression, Anxiety, Traumatic Symptoms, Cognitive Distortions, Maladaptive Schemas, and Borderline Personality Features. Women who reported a history of abuse evidenced marked differences from those who did not across a broad spectrum of variables. A majority of CSA survivors did not seek any treatment. These results are discussed relative to prevention and early intervention efforts that are necessary to assist this underserved population.
DOI of Published Version
10.1300/J005v26n01_05
Source
Lewis, R. J., Griffin, J.L., Winstead, B. A., Morrow, J. & Schubert, C. (2003). Psychological Characteristics of Women Who Do or Do Not Report a History of Sexual Abuse. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community 26(1):49-65. DOI 10.1300/J005v26n01_05
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community
Repository Citation
Lewis RJ, Griffin JL, Winstead BA, Morrow JA, Schubert CP. (2003). Psychological Characteristics of Women Who Do or Do Not Report a History of Sexual Abuse. Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center Publications. https://doi.org/10.1300/J005v26n01_05. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_cmhsr/558
Comments
At the time of publication, Jessica Griffin was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.