NCJ Number
210040
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 854-871
Date Published
August 2002
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the long-term impact of childhood unwanted sexual attention (UWSA) on various components of young women’s self-concept, including self-esteem and body image. It explored the role that negative reactions have in affecting the relationship between UWSA and long-term psychological adjustment.
Abstract
Unwanted sexual attention (UWSA) includes unwanted sexual behaviors with most girls experiencing fairly high levels of UWSA during preadolescence. Children, in particular girls, have negative reactions to UWSA. Even though UWSA is often chronic and an unpleasant experience for girls, the long-term impact of UWSA on girls’ self-concept has not been evaluated. Utilizing a sample of 448 women recruited from a psychology department research pool, this study examined the association between childhood UWSA and current self-concept. It explored the role that negative reactions have in affecting the relationship between UWSA and long-term psychological adjustment. The findings suggest that repeated childhood UWSA did affect women’s sense of self across several salient areas. Poor body image was predicted by frequent UWSA during childhood. Overall, the study supports an expanded conceptualization of sexual abuse and parallels recent studies of other forms of non-contact abuse. Tables, appendix, and references