MMPI-2 profiles of adult women with child sexual abuse histories: Cluster-analytic findings.

This study used a cluster analysis to examine the clinical profiles of female survivors of child sexual abuse. Eighty-five participants who presented for group therapy to deal specifically with issues related to sexual abuse completed the revised version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2; J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. Tellegen, & B. Kaemmer, 1989) as part of an extensive assessment procedure. The cluster-analytic procedure used in this study allowed 5 subgroups within the population to emerge, supporting the idea that women who report having been sexually abused as children are not a homogeneous group. Additional analyses indicated differences on the basis of cluster membership on the MMPI-2 content scales, as well as other measures of psychological distress. The treatment implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse: Clinicians' practices and beliefs.

The issue of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has stirred up a great deal of controversy in the field of psychology and in the public media. Recent court trials and television specials suggest that recovered and false memory cases occur often. Clinicians completed a survey designed to determine the prevalence of recovered memories for CSA in their clinical practices and to assess whether the recovered memory controversy had affected their treatment of female CSA victims. Despite the publicity the debate over memories of CSA has attracted, few cases of so-called recovered memory were reported. Even fewer cases of so-called false memory were reported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories of child sexual abuse and liability: Society, science, and the law in a comparative setting.

Recognizing the influence of the American Psychological Association's Final Report (J. L. Alpert et al, see record 2000-13581-002) in setting the parameters for the ongoing debate on recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse, the authors describe how the law has responded to the force of the debate in the psychological literature and to the construction of childhood sexual abuse as a social issue. The article traces these developments both within the United States and elsewhere in the common law world. The authors, referring to, among other sources, the conclusions of the Final Report, address the liability of therapists whose patients recover memories of childhood sexual abuse. The conflicting body of law and the severe disagreement among commentators, as to both validity of clinical observations and broad social policy, discourage hope in a readily found consensus on therapists' liability. The authors argue, nevertheless, that careful legal and policy analysis allows for the formulation of an appropriate liability rule. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse: Searching for the middle ground in clinical practice.

This paper briefly examines the debate regarding adult memories of childhood sexual abuse and suggests a reasoned clinical response. The perspective related to "false memories" of abuse, as well as that of advocates of recovered memories, are considered. It is concluded that although there is considerable rhetoric on this topic, there is little definitive information to support one position or the other. A middle ground perspective, that recognizes both the legitimacy of childhood abuse and its negative influences, as well as the possibility of poor clinical practice leading to false reports of abuse, is advocated. Implications of this middle ground perspective for clinical practice, training and research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Resiliency and adult adaptation in women with and without self-reported histories of childhood sexual abuse

This study investigated the relationship of protective factors (PF) to adult adaptation in a nonclinical sample consisting of 264 undergraduate women: two groups without childhood sexual abuse (CSA), high (n = 109) and low (n = 99) on PF; and two groups with CSA, high (n = 17) and low (n = 27) on PF. The first hypothesis that higher levels of PF would be significantly associated with higher levels of functioning for all individuals was supported by the data. The second hypothesis that the women with CSA and higher levels of PF would appear similar in adaptation to those without CSA was also supported. The findings further suggest that though the protective factors were beneficial for most individuals, they were significantly more helpful for those with CSA.     

Degrees of repression of sexual abuse memories.

Comments on E. F. Loftus's (see record 1993-37888-001) review of data on patients' recovery of repressed memories of sexual abuse (SA) in psychotherapy. In contrast to J. Briere and J. Conte's (see record 1993-33736-001) finding of self-reported amnesia for abuse in 59% of adults molested as children, only 30% of 105 adults in the present authors' study claimed to have blocked out any recollection of SA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Symptomatic clients and memories of childhood abuse: What the trauma and child sexual abuse literature tells us.

In recent years, the delayed recall of memories of childhood abuse has been the subject of increasingly heated societal debate. The American Psychological Association Working Group on Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse was charged with reviewing relevant literature and making recommendations for future research directions as well as for clinical training and practice. This article reviews the trauma and child sexual abuse literatures by examining the scope of the problem and placing the current controversy into its broader social/historical context. It then provides a review of selected literature on the following topics: (1) the nature and consequences of trauma, particularly with regard to its potential effect on memory, and with special attention to trauma occurring during childhood; (2) child sexual abuse as a unique and potentially very traumatic form of interpersonal victimization; (3) dissociation and its functions both as a psychological defense against the impact of trauma and as the mental mechanism that most likely accounts for the amnesia and hypermnesia commonly experienced by traumatized individuals; and (4) memory in adults reporting a history of child sexual abuse, using available empirical data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recall of childhood trauma: A prospective study of women's memories of child sexual abuse.

One hundred twenty-nine women with previously documented histories of sexual victimization in childhood were interviewed and asked detailed questions about their abuse histories to answer the question "Do people actually forget traumatic events such as child sexual abuse, and if so, how common is such forgetting?" A large proportion of the women (38%) did not recall the abuse that had been reported 17 years earlier. Women who were younger at the time of the abuse and those who were molested by someone they knew were more likely to have no recall of the abuse. The implications for research and practice are discussed. Long periods with no memory of abuse should not be regarded as evidence that the abuse did not occur. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories of childhood abuse: Is there an underlying professional consensus?

Despite the controversy regarding the existence, nature, and accuracy of false (recovered) memories, there is an apparent professional consensus regarding child abuse, the nature of human memory, standards for diagnosis and treatment of adults who have or may have lost memories of abuse, and the appropriate role of the psychotherapist in dealing with these issues. Support for the professional consensus comes from authorities on both sides of the memory debate, statements and position papers from professional associations, and surveys of psychologists. After presenting these consensus statements, the authors delineate some remaining areas of controversy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability and validity of a measure of sexual and physical abuse histories among women with serious mental illness

Illumination of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) in solution in the presence of rose bengal as a photosensitizer resulted in the progressive formation of enzyme dimers, trimers, tetramers and higher oligomers, as measured by gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography. Oxygen was necessary for crosslink formation, and azide inhibition studies indicated that singlet oxygen was involved in the process. Chemical modification of His residues (with diethyl pyrocarbonate) and/or Lys residues (with acetic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) in the enzyme decreased crosslinking, suggesting the participation of these two amino acid residues in the reaction. Met and cystine residues did not appear to be involved. Similar studies have shown that model N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers containing epsilon-aminocaproic acid side chains terminating in His or Lys residues are photodynamically crosslinked via His-His or His-Lys interactions. Treatment of crosslinked RNase A and its His, Lys and Lys-His derivatives for 5 min at 97 degrees C in a dithiothreitol-sodium dodecyl sulfate mixture efficiently ruptured a major part of the photodynamically formed crosslinks; treatment with the detergent alone had no effect. Similar results were obtained with the crosslinked amino acid-containing HPMA copolymers, suggesting that photodynamic crosslinks involving His-His and His-Lys interaction are chemically the same in RNase A and the copolymer model.     

Residency training in child sexual abuse evaluation

Insertin is an actin-binding protein that has been isolated from chicken gizzard smooth muscle that has been shown to be highly homologous to amino acids 962-1292 of tensin [Weigt et al., 1992]. Because of the high homology, we investigated the question whether the mRNAs of insertin and of tensin are derived from the same gene by alternative splicing, whether insertin and tensin are encoded by two different genes, or whether insertin is a proteolytic fragment of tensin. In a Northern blot analysis, mRNA from chicken gizzard was hybridized with oligonucleotides specific for tensin and for the insertin domain of tensin. The tensin-specific oligonucleotide hybridized only with the previously reported 8- and 10-kbp RNAs. However, the insertin domain-specific oligonucleotide hybridized with a 1.2 and a 1.6 kbp RNA in addition to the 8 and 10 kbp RNA. The 1.2- and 1.6-kbp RNA occurred in small amounts, as compared with the 8- and 10-kbp RNA. Southern blot analysis of DNA cleaved by the restriction endonucleases BamH1 and HindIII demonstrated that only one gene for the insertin and tensin exists. Insertin isolated from chicken gizzard smooth muscle was investigated by mass spectrometry. The N-termini of three isolated peptides were found to begin at adjacent amino acids and were likely to be formed from tensin by proteolysis. The results suggest that, for insertin, an mRNA exists that is derived from one gene common for insertin and tensin. However, the insertin-specific mRNA contributes relatively little to expression of insertin domains in cells. Insertin preparations from chicken gizzard contain mainly insertin domains formed from tensin by proteolysis.     

Perceived benefit from child sexual abuse

People often report perceptions of benefit from adverse life experiences. In this study, adult perceptions of benefit from child sexual abuse were examined in a sample of 154 low-income women who were sexually abused as children. Almost half reported some perceived benefit. The benefits fell into 4 main categories: protecting children from abuse, self-protection, increased knowledge of child sexual abuse, and having a stronger personality. Degree of perceived benefit was associated with several indicators of adult adjustment. In addition, those who perceived themselves as stronger had higher self-esteem, and those who perceived increased sexual abuse knowledge viewed others more favorably and were more comfortable getting close to others, when compared with other respondents.     

Psychological testing in evaluation of child sexual abuse

In order to assess the utility of psychological testing in evaluating allegations of child sexual abuse, the empirical literature is reviewed in an attempt to answer two questions. First, are there systematic and significant differences on psychological tests between sexually abused and nonabused children? Second, are these differences on psychological testing a direct result of sexual abuse, or are they a result of other coexisting factors that might cause psychological distress? Cognitive measures, personality inventories, symptomatology checklists, and projective tests with sexually abused children are reviewed. While a variety of standardized instruments have been administered to sexually abused children, relatively few have been utilized in empirical studies. Findings have been mixed, with stronger differences between sexually abused and nonabused children generally found on measures completed by parents than on measures administered directly to children. Sexually abused children often fall between nonabused and psychiatric groups. Use of measures specific to sexual abuse is advocated. While psychological tests may currently have limited use in validating suspected sexual abuse, they may be extremely useful in the clinical treatment of the child.     

Institutional management of child sexual abuse]

In the years 1992-94 the Child Protection Centre Kiel carried out the first investigation of how various institutions (nursery schools, schools, advisory offices, children's specialists, youth welfare departments, police, judicial authorities etc.) in the German-speaking area deal with suspected cases of sexual child abuse. A special comprehensive questionnaire and a personal interview were drawn up to find out details concerning knowledge, experiences, attitudes and concrete measures of the employees. The particulars were evaluated of about 900 persons from three differently structured districts in Schleswig-Holstein. The institutions (with the exception of the police and judicial authorities) do not have any clear concepts regarding the handling of suspected cases of sexual child abuse. The reactions of the institutions usually depend on the level of knowledge, experience and subjective assessment of individual employees. Roles are not clearly defined and there is not enough cooperation between the institutions. The employees require more practice-orientated training and case-specific supervision. There are not enough coordination bodies for those concerned, therapeutic places and accommodation possibilities for children and youths as well as effective offers of assistance for adults and youths who have abused children.     

Group treatment for child sexual abuse.

Describes a 12-wk group therapy program used with more than 50 preadolescent children (aged 7–12 yrs) who have experienced intrafamilial sexual abuse. A cotherapy model is used. 90-min group sessions consist of 4 parts: circle time, focused activities, diary time, and snack. Activities are designed to highlight (1) development of trust, cohesiveness, and safety; (2) identification and labeling of feelings; (3) discussion of family relationships and family changes; and (4) exploration of issues associated with the offender. Sessions also examine legal issues and concerns and focus on self-esteem enhancement, social skills development, sex education, prevention of future abuse, and termination issues. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories in theory and practice.

The final report of the American Psychological Association Working Group on Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse (J. L. Alpert et al, see record 2000-13581-002) reflects the tensions within the profession over the status to be accorded to recovered memories. As British researchers and clinicians involved in the debate, the authors of this article recognize the difficulties of reconciling clinical perspectives with the experimental approach of cognitive psychology. However, readers seeking guidance on theory and practice may be disappointed by the current report. Regarding theory, the authors maintain that more progress could have been achieved if the Working Group had shared a common vision of the way memory operates; it would have allowed more constructive dialogue regarding the significance of research on repression and traumatic memories. Regarding practice, there is no guidance as to how clinicians can amend their practice to avoid patient confabulation. The process of guideline development is described, together with some recent examples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Symptoms of female survivors of child sexual abuse

Women who suffered sexual abuse as children often experience a variety of physical and psychosocial symptoms as adults. Identifying this pattern of symptoms might assist health professionals in recognizing and treating nonreporting survivors of child sexual abuse. In this study, the Adult Survivors of Incest (ASI) Questionnaire (Brown & Garrison, 1990) was used to determine the symptoms and contributing factors for 22 adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Six physical symptoms were experienced by 50% of the subjects, and over 75% of the subjects experienced 11 psychosocial symptoms. The number of physical symptoms correlated significantly with other victimizations (r = .59) and number of psychosocial symptoms (r = .56). The findings suggest that the ASI Questionnaire was effective in identifying patterns of symptoms and contributing factors of adult survivors of child abuse. Additional study is needed to determine the usefulness of this questionnaire in identifying nonreporting survivors in clinical situations.