NCJ Number
139640
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 261-281
Date Published
1992
Length
21 pages
Annotation
In comparing survivors of physical, sexual, and dual child abuse in a community sample of working women, severity of abuse was studied with respect to sexual abuse and the distinction between nonabusive and abusive physical violence.
Abstract
Information regarding child abuse histories, as well as current functioning, was obtained from a sample of 259 working women employed at a State university. The study was explained as an investigation of stressful, personal childhood events. Subjects were sent a questionnaire with an informed consent form and a return envelope, and all responses were strictly anonymous. They were asked to provide information on demographic characteristics, sexual abuse, physical violence, trauma symptoms, depression, self-esteem, adult negative experiences, and sexual dysfunction. It was found that incest and severe physical abuse were each associated with similar symptoms; people who were more severely abused showed worse outcomes. Those women who were both physically and sexually abused had less favorable outcomes than those abused in only one manner. Effects of abuse could not be understood without taking combinations of different abuse types and severities into account. Overall, findings supported the position that physical and sexual abuse have common long-term correlates in terms of internalizing symptoms, contrary to speculations that abuse types have unique consequences. 50 references and 5 tables