NCJ Number
195505
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 75-90
Date Published
2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and the emergence of self-destructive behaviors in adulthood and how dissociation mediates the relationship between the history of CSA and self-destructive behaviors.
Abstract
There is evidence to support that a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with various forms of self-destructive behavior among adolescents and adults, such as drug and alcohol abuse, binge eating, self-mutilation, risky sexual behavior, and suicide attempts. Explanations for the relationships between CSA and self-destructive behaviors have suggested directly or indirectly that dissociation is a significant intervening variable. The emergence of specific dissociative episodes during times of stress increases the probability of engaging in these self-destructive behaviors. The findings in this study support the idea that a history of CSA is related to the emergence of self-destructive behaviors in adulthood. Participants in the study consisted of 441 female college students from 9 public colleges and universities in New York. In the sample, 175 women reported histories of CSA and 206 reported no history of CSA. The survey instrument consisted of four previously developed and validated instruments and a demographic and background experience questionnaire. The CSA and non-CSA groups differed significantly on every index of self-destructive behavior except self-mutilation. The findings were consistent with prior research on the relationship between CSA and various self-destructive behaviors and supported the idea that CSA was associated with the emergence of dissociative symptoms in adulthood. Tables and references