NCJ Number
205253
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 1363-1379
Date Published
October 2001
Length
17 pages
Annotation
In order to examine the differential effects of sexual abuse on Hispanic and African-American girls, this study administered an instrument package to 82 African-American and 77 Hispanic sexually abused girls and their mothers/caretakers.
Abstract
The mother/caretaker was administered a demographic form, the Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist, and the Family Assessment Measure-Parent. The child completed the Family Assessment Measure-Child and the Trauma Symptom Checklist for children. The clinician completed the Parental Reaction to Incest Disclosure Scale. The study found that Hispanic girls had a greater number of sexually abusive incidents and waited longer to disclose their abuse than the African-American girls; and the African-American girls were more likely to have experienced vaginal penetration. For the Hispanic girls, the perpetrators of their abuse were older and more likely to be fathers or stepfathers. The mothers/caretakers of Hispanic girls viewed their children as having significantly more aggressive behavior, anxiety/depression, somatic complaints, and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. They also had a higher score on the Child Behavior Checklist than did the African-American girls. The Hispanic girls were also more likely to perceive their families as dysfunctional, with confusion about family values and rules. Hispanic mothers/caretakers assessed their families as being more conflicted about adaptability and family controls. The authors suggest that because of the value of virginity in the Hispanic culture, sexually abused Hispanic girls may experience a greater sense of shame because of the high value placed on virginity at the time of marriage. Clinicians must gain an understanding of the meaning of the sexual assault to the child and her family from within the cultural values and perceptions that might be associated with the sexual abuse. Study limitations are discussed. 7 tables and 30 references