Adult Reports of Child and Adult Attributions of Blame for Childhood Sexual Abuse: Predicting Adult Adjustment and Suicidal Behaviors in Females

• NCJ Number: 205251
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 1329-1341
• Author(s): Suzanne L. Barker-Collo
• Date Published: October 2001
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether childhood and adulthood attributions of blame for sexual abuse, as well as the stability and globality of these attributions made by female survivors of childhood sexual abuse contributed to the prediction of later symptomatology in general; the links between the various aspects of causal attributions and suicidal behaviors were also assessed.

Abstract

The relevant literature indicates that the generation of causal attributions is a common response to traumatic events, and that the type of attributions made may influence later adjustment. Specifically, the literature suggests that self-blame attributions following childhood sexual abuse are linked to greater likelihood of negative outcomes. In order to test this hypothesis, 126 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse completed anonymous survey packages that included a modified version of the Attributional Style Questionnaire, the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40, and questions regarding demographics and abuse characteristics. The study found that women who reported abuse by an immediate family member and abuse before 10 years old tended to report having made internal attributions of blame when they were children. In addition, reports of internal attributions of blame made during childhood were significantly predictive of overall symptomatology in adulthood, as well as the prevalence of suicide attempts. Reported adulthood attributions did not contribute to the prediction of psychological symptomatology. The clinical implications of further evidence of the link between attributions and outcome following childhood sexual abuse are discussed. The author concludes that the need to identify childhood sexual abuse as early as possible has again been demonstrated, along with data that suggests that, following identification, assisting children to reattribute blame from self to the perpetrators will have significant long-term benefits for psychological adjustment. 1 table, 1 figure, and 32 references