NCJ Number
195769
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 8 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 816-844
Editor(s)
Claire M. Renzetti
Date Published
July 2002
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This study provided a conceptual framework from which to empirically investigate the impact of child sexual abuse among Latina survivors.
Abstract
Prior literature has documented the long-term negative impact of child sexual abuse on the survivors. Latino families in particular have a high level of interpersonal closeness and involvement which can be a strong source of social support or stress for child sexual abuse survivors. This study used the Comprehensive Model of Trauma Impact (CMTI) and the Self-In-Relation theoretical orientation to examine the effects of childhood sexual abuse on perceived social support among Latino women. The CMTI provides a framework for examining child sexual abuse and how it affects an individual’s areas of functioning, the nature of the trauma, and the particular systemic context in which the abuse occurred. The Self-In-Relation theoretical orientation provides a useful theoretical framework for investigating the impact of trauma on areas of an individual’s functioning within a certain context. Study participants were obtained from a specialty clinic in an inner-city public hospital in Southern California serving victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. The sample included 54 Latinas, ranging in age from 18 to 52 and predominantly Spanish speaking. Age when abuse first occurred ranged from 3 years to 17 years. As predicted, when depression, anxiety, or hostility was reported as part of the client’s affective symptomatology, interpersonal sensitivity also was a significant symptom. This result was also consistent with the findings of a study examining child sexual abuse and depression in four ethnic groups. In addition, the results extend previous research that found interpersonal sensitivity to be significantly related to the outcome of child sexual abuse. Several implications specific to the Latino culture gained from these results are discussed such as if child sexual abuse occurs and is discovered in the family, the shame and betrayal by the family in not keeping her safe are likely issues to be addressed. Limitations of the study are presented with a recommendation for future studies focusing on the specific issues surrounding the psychological impact of child sexual abuse, especially among a minority culture. References