Comparison of 369 sexually abused children and 318 non-abused children found five variables explaining 20% of the variance including the following: tendency of parent to have negative outlook on life; number of problems the victim's family presents; and victim's perception of some responsibility for the abuse. (DB)

Reports of male victims (N=189) of child sexual abuse were retrospectively reviewed. Comparison to an age- and race-matched group of female victims revealed similarities in patterns of disclosure and perpetrator characteristics. (Author/DB)

Compared to 16 matched nonabused peers, 16 abused Ss (8-12 years old) showed no less persistence in working for rewards, made equivalent use of contingency information to maintain persistence, and assumed equivalent responsibility for success. However, they took less responsibility for failure. (CL)

This study examined rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 109 severely maltreated children and their mothers. Results indicated a statistical association between a maternal diagnosis of PTSD and PTSD among their maltreated children. In addition, mothers with PTSD were more likely to have children with an earlier age of maltreatment…

Of 69 girls and 21 boys who had been sexually abused, approximately half were diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms were related to the nature of the abusive experiences and exacerbated by feelings of guilt. Findings indicate that the impact of the trauma may be mediated (positively or negatively) by the child's…

Interviews with 154 program administrators, social workers, foster parents, and health care providers in California found that only one county performed routine mental health evaluations of all foster children. Mental health problems were identified by informants as more severe than medical problems among foster children. (Author/DB)

Analysis of scores of 111 abusive parents on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) revealed statistically significant differences from the norm on 23 scales. Ss demonstrated low self-esteem, confused and conflicting sense of self, general maladjustment, low level of personality integration, and indications of personality dysfunction. (CL)

The health effects of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse during childhood were studied in 668 middle class females. Approximately 28% recounted exposure to one type of abuse, 18% to two types, and 5% to three types. Abused women reported more hospitalizations for illnesses, more physical and psychological problems, and lower overall health than…

Psychological characteristics of 56 male Colombian street children, aged 7 to 16, were examined using participant observations and results of psychological testing. Results showed the children to be relatively healthy, intelligent, and emotionally intact. An attempt is made to understand these relatively good scores in a cultural context.…

This paper argues that insufficient attention has been paid to the psychological needs of physically maltreated children, who often require direct treatment for such problems as aggressive behavior, low self-esteem, and cognitive limitations. (DB)

This review of the short-term effects of child sexual abuse examines age and sex of child, relationship to offender, frequency and duration of abuse, type of sexual act and use of force, and family functioning. Frequency/duration of abuse, abuse involving force, and close relationship to the perpetrator were related to more severe outcomes.…

This study compared the level of ego development of 30 women with histories of childhood sexual victimization and 30 women with no history of abuse. Results indicated no significant difference in ego levels between groups, with a slight trend toward higher ego development in the abused group. (Author/DB)

A follow-up study was conducted of the adult functioning of 19 people who were severely battered as young children. Results indicated highly variable outcomes. Little evidence of overt aggression was found, but resentment and suspiciousness scores were high. Findings indicate that early abusive trauma and adult functioning have no simple…

This study found that 1,414 college students' descriptions of their personal punitive childhood experiences and experiences of siblings were similar, but subjects more often labeled their siblings' experience as abuse than their own experience. The evaluation of severely punitive events as abusive was a function of whether the punishment was…

Forty female incest victims, ages 12-18, were administered personality and self-concept assessments. Subjects were found to be shy, expedient, guilt-prone, aggressive, realistic, and withdrawn and to have low overall self-concept. Subjects showed more confidence about physical appearance and intellectual and school status than other aspects of…