Abuse and Parental Characteristics, Attributions of Blame, and Psychological Adjustment in Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

• NCJ Number: 230282
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2010 Pages: 79-98
• Author(s): Heidi Zinzow; Puja Seth; Joan Jackson; Ashley Niehaus; Monica Fitzgerald
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the influence of abuse and parental characteristics on adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of abuse and parental characteristics on attributional content and determine the relative contribution of different attributions of blame in predicting psychological symptomatology among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One hundred eighty-three female undergraduates with a history of childhood sexual abuse completed self-report questionnaires. Abuse characteristics were significantly related to attributions. Family- and perpetrator-blame accounted for significant variability in psychological symptomatology, beyond the contributions of abuse characteristics, family environment, and self-blame. Implications for research and treatment are discussed. Tables and references (Published Abstract)