NCJ Number
248066
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 38 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2014 Pages: 1160-1170
Date Published
July 2014
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored how victimization history impacted the progression of depression and anxiety among a sample of female adolescents transitioning into adulthood.
Abstract
This study examined how victimization history impacted the progression of depression and anxiety among a sample of female adolescents transitioning into adulthood and found that on average, there was a steady linear decline in depression and anxiety symptoms as the participants transitioned into adulthood. Depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms decreased 25 percent and 20 percent, respectively from administration of the prenatal assessment to 12 months postpartum. In addition, sexual abuse history reduced the likelihood of a decrease in depressive symptoms over time, while neglect history was associated with higher prenatal levels of anxiety and a steeper decline in anxiety symptoms over time. The primary goal of this study was to improve the understanding of how victimization history impacts the long-term course of depression and anxiety in female adolescents transitioning into adulthood. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 55 young women who were interviewed about their victimization experiences during their second trimester of pregnancy. The participants were asked to report on their symptoms of depression and anxiety prenatally and then 6 and 12 months postpartum. These findings suggest that adolescents with a history of victimization are at increased risk of developing emotional difficulties during critical stages in life course development. Suggestions for future research are discussed as are study limitations. Tables, figures, and references