Texture Response Patterns Associated with Sexual Trauma of Childhood and Adult Onset: Developmental and Recovered Memory Implications

• NCJ Number: 183117
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 251-257
• Author(s): Frank Leavitt
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the extent to which intense preoccupation with sexual trauma of childhood and of adult onset is related to reduced texture productivity.

Abstract

The study measured texture productivity in four groups using the Rorschach. Twenty-seven patients with recovered memory were compared with 27 patients with continuous memory of childhood sexual trauma, 27 post trauma stress patients with sexual trauma of adult onset and 27 non-abused patients. The study replicated previous findings of reduced texture productivity among patients who always remembered sexual trauma of childhood onset. The same texture deficiency pattern was observed among patients who recovered memory of childhood sexual abuse. This pattern was not observed in Post Trauma Stress Disorder patients intensely preoccupied with sexual trauma of adult onset, despite the fact that they mimicked the recovered memory group with respect to enduring preoccupation with distressing thoughts of sexual abuse. The findings indicate that intrusive memories of sexual trauma do not shape patients’ response to textural cues on the Rorschach. Variations in texture productivity are primarily moderated by age of trauma onset. Dismissal of claims of recovered memories on the basis of intense sexual preoccupation is not warranted. Tables, references