NCJ Number
144848
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1993) Pages: 167-181
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The retrospective reports of 137 college women regarding childhood sexual abuse were studied to identify the emotional responses these victims experienced at the time of abuse and to investigate the relationship between these responses and the long-term effects of abuse.
Abstract
In addition to the basic sample, a replication sample of 62 female sexual abuse victims was also studied. The analysis revealed three important dimensions of responding: guilt/fear, anger/disgust, and positive emotions. Findings also indicated five groups of victims, each displaying unique emotional profiles. These included (1) guilty/fearful individuals, (2) low responders, (3) angry/disgusted individuals, (4) ambivalent individuals, and (5) positive individuals. The victims' responses to the abuse were associated with the severity of the abuse, and their affective responses to the abuse were related to their subsequent adjustment. Thus, individuals experiencing high levels of guilt and fear demonstrated poorer social adjustment than either individuals reporting mainly anger or disgust or individuals reporting low levels of all emotions. Tables and 9 references (Author abstract modified)