NCJ Number
210597
Journal
Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 85-95
Date Published
2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This exploratory study documented Hispanic-Anglo differences in childhood sexual abuse experiences and assessed whether any differences might be explained by sociodemographic and family environment differences.
Abstract
Adult Hispanic (n=69) and Anglo (n=19) women were recruited from a Texas urban health clinic that serves a low-income population that is predominantly Hispanic and female. Of the 481 patients screened, 151 met criteria for a history of childhood sexual abuse. Subjects were asked to complete an in-depth interview regarding their sexual abuse experience and their childhood environment. Hispanic participants also completed an acculturation instrument that assessed the degree to which the subject had become acculturated to the host culture. Bivariate analyses were conducted with chi-square, t-test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank testing to identify any inter-ethnic differences; and Spearman correlations were conducted to identify associations between abuse experiences and acculturation or generation status. The study found that Hispanics were more likely than Anglos to identify a family member as the perpetrator of the sexual abuse and to experience more self-blame as a result of the abuse. Hispanics were also more likely to take action in response to the abuse, particularly those who were more acculturated to the U.S. culture. Most of the observed differences between the experiences of Hispanics and Anglos could be explained by sociodemographic or family environment variables, rather than by ethnic background. The authors recommend further research on the family environments of Hispanic victims of child sexual abuse in order to expand on the dynamics and risk factors for abuse by family members. 3 tables and 13 references