Faculty Bibliography

Interviewed 82 mothers and 46 fathers of 30 emotionally disturbed, sexually abused children and 46 disturbed, nonabused Ss (aged 12-18 yrs). Mothers of abused Ss reported more family dysfunction in problem solving and roles than mothers of nonabused Ss. There were significant differences between the parents of abused Ss in problem solving, communication, and general functioning. Mothers reported significantly greater pathology in their families than did fathers. There were more differences between nonabused children and their mothers than between abused children and their mothers. In both samples, there were significant differences between mothers and children in affective responsivity and behavior control.

31 women (aged 23-60 yrs) who were sexually abused as children completed a sexual abuse questionnaire, a self-blame scale, and adjustment measures for depression, self-esteem, and self-concept. Ss who had blamed themselves as children for having been abused had poorer overall adjustment as adults; they were more depressed and had lower self-esteem. Ss who were able to externalize the blame appeared to be better adjusted, with higher self-concepts and less depression. Persistent abuse was associated with more intense self-blame and less intense blame directed toward the abuser.

Administered a family assessment device to 30 sexually abused (SXA) child and adolescent psychiatric patients (elementary through high school) and 46 age-matched non-sexually abused (NSA) psychiatric patients. SXA Ss reported poorer problem-solving skills in their families, more role confusion, and more general pathological functioning than did NSA Ss. Significant differences in affective responsivity, affective involvement, and general functioning were found between victims of intrafamilial or extrafamilial abuse, with greater enmeshment and dysfunction reported by victims of intrafamilial abuse. Females had significantly lower problem-solving skills than did males, and they reported greater general dysfunction in their families.