Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify common and unique risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) among young adults in relationships. Guided by two models of IPV, the same set of risk factors was used to examine outcomes of unidirectional (perpetration or victimization) and bidirectional (reciprocal) IPV separately for males…

Objective: To evaluate the social and emotional adjustment of 219 children in families with varying levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) using a model of risk and protection. To explore factors that differentiate children with poor adjustment from those with resilience. Methodology: Mothers who experienced IPV in the past year and their…

This editorial discusses findings of a study (EC 614 976) concerning dissociation as one factor in continuing or breaking the cycle of child abuse from one generation to the next. It urges development of intervention strategies which encourage adaptive expressions of the abuse experience in therapeutic work with abused children. (DB)

This editorial reviews and comments on three recent studies: two on assessment issues or areas of diagnostic difficulty for pediatricians concerned with child abuse and neglect, and one on the long-term effects of childhood abuse and experiences of early attachment. (DB)

Adolescents (n=161) who had unwanted sexual experiences with a single perpetrator were compared with 97 adolescents who had unwanted sexual experiences with more than one perpetrator. Results suggest that sexual revictimization by multiple perpetrators is not uncommon and that these children and adolescents have more difficulties with…

Childhood experiences and long-term psychological outcomes were investigated with 10 adults, ages 33 through 71, who were self-identified victims of illness fabrication by a parent (Munchausen by Proxy). During childhood they felt unloved and unsafe and had emotional and physical problems. As adults, problems included insecurity, reality-testing…

A survey of 301 male college students found that occasional sexual dysfunction was frequent in young male adults, and long-lasting adverse familial relationships to attachment figures were more influential in later sexual dysfunction than were childhood sexual abuse experiences. (Author/DB)

A study of 90 adults found non-abused individuals reported the highest level of maternal warmth and affection and those that acknowledged consistent abuse (Acknowledgers) reported the lowest. While adults who minimized their abuse (Minimizers) and Acknowledgers reported similar levels of psychologically abusive experiences, Acknowledgers reported…

This lecture examines problems of global child abuse from a human rights perspective, balancing the "good news" of the international concern for children's welfare against the scale of the crisis it reflects. The author recommends that child advocates embrace a "pessioptimistic" attitude, acknowledging these extremes by disallowing both naivete…

Interviews with 96 children and 73 adolescents following sexual abuse found significant age and sex differences. Adolescents reported a higher level of depressive symptoms, negative reactions by others, and lower levels of self-esteem, social support, and sexual anxiety. Girls reported higher levels of intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, sexual…

Analysis of the coping strategies of 40 adult women who had been sexually abused in childhood found that overall, abuse characteristics did not predict outcome. However, women who "deliberately suppressed" the abuse incidents were more likely to have low self-esteem and women who "reframed" the sexual abuse event were significantly less likely to…

In a survey of 120 inpatients admitted to a United Kingdom acute psychiatric ward, 46% reported a history of childhood sexual abuse. Only 14%, however, had disclosed the abuse previously to psychiatrists. The patterns of abuse were found to correspond with those causing problems with adjustment in adult life. (CR)

The efficacy of outpatient, weekly group treatment for 30 girls, 9 through 12 years old, who were sexually abused was examined and compared to psychological status of 15 girls waiting to begin treatment. Two inventories were administered before treatment and approximately six months later. Treatment reduced the girls' perceived anxiety and…

Alternative measures and correlates of resilience were examined with 43 girls, ages 10 through 17, who were sexually abused. Interview responses indicated that the two strongest predictors of resilience were total level of abuse stressors experienced and the quality of the victim's relationship with a nonoffending parent. (Author/SW)

Assessment of adult outcomes of 59 children from severely psychosocially dysfunctional families, who were placed in foster families for at least five years, found most had overcome their childhood adversities with 56% well-integrated socially and only 10% in situations of failure. Difficulties were linked to multiple family disturbances, traumatic…