NCJ Number
207741
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 319-325
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
October 2004
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between demographic variables and scores of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors on the Impact Event Scale (IES).
Abstract
A review of current research has shown that the effect of demographic variables on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among adult survivors of CSA has not been examined. This study explored the relationship between demographic variables and IES scores for 257 women CSA survivors entering outpatient treatment at a university-based mental health center. The IES is a self-report measure of subjective distress related to a specific event. All the women reported a history of CSA and presented psychological difficulties associated with CSA. The demographic variables investigated were relationship status, sexual orientation, income, educational level, spousal educational level, ethnicity, and religious affiliation. The data collected, part of a larger ongoing study of the sexual abuse survivors treatment program, were examined using a series of one-way, between group ANOVA’s. Analysis of the data found that total IES and Intrusion scores differed for sexual orientation and ethnicity in accordance with conventional standards of significance. Self-reported asexuals indicated fewer intrusive and total PTSD symptoms than heterosexuals, lesbians, and bisexuals. In addition, Hispanics reported less intrusive PTSD symptoms than non-Hispanic Whites. Further research is recommended to explore the relationship between ethnicity and sexual orientation and the long-term effects of CSA. References and 1 table