NCJ Number
174319
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: February 1997 Pages: 3-17
Date Published
1997
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article examines the potential of family cohesion and organization to act as buffers against the long-term negative impact of childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
Two hundred sixty-six college women, 141 of whom had experienced childhood sexual abuse, completed self-report measures of current depressive symptomatology, self-esteem and social adjustment. Family cohesion and organization were measured by the Family Environment Scale. Although no evidence for a buffering effect was indicated, multiple regression analyses revealed that both family characteristics were significantly related to the women's current social and psychological adjustment. This study confirms earlier findings that victims of childhood sexual abuse do suffer negative effects. Victims from cohesive, adaptable, yet structured families may have coped sufficiently well with the abuse that they suffered few long-term effects. Victims who lacked a cohesive and organized family environment in childhood may evidence poor adjustment to even "milder" forms of abuse. Clearly, family environment should be considered in any attempt to explain or predict the long-term adjustment of child sexual abuse victims and should be assessed before working with family members to increase flexibility, cohesion and routine/organization. Tables, note, references