NCJ Number
162949
Journal
Journal of Psychiatry and Law Dated: (Summer 1995) Pages: 283-293
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The authenticity of recovered memories regarding childhood sexual abuse was studied using data from polygraph tests of alleged child abusers, 46 of whom were accused on the basis of recovered memories and 300 of whom whose purported victims experienced no repression.
Abstract
A major debate exists within the mental health field regarding the authenticity of recovered repressed memories involving childhood sexual abuse. The difficulty of documenting events that occurred years ago led to the present research, which compared polygraphs from two groups of alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Results revealed that the group accused on the basis of recovered memories was deceptive in only 4 percent of the cases, compared to 78 percent for the those whose purported victims experienced no repression. Findings strongly argue against the validity of the concept of repression for acts that might have persisted for year and indicate that at most, repression occurs in only a small percentage of those who have made these accusations. Findings also imply that the impact of suggestion on these individuals, whether it be through the literature to which they have been exposed or through therapy, has played havoc with their emotional states. In many instances they have been treated for years for problems that did not exist, which undoubtedly has added to their difficulties. Findings also argue against the inappropriate use of such therapeutic tools as hypnosis, visual imagery, truth serums, and even dream interpretation. Results also suggest that false reporting occurs in approximately 20 percent of the accusations in which no repression is involved. Table and 10 reference notes (Author abstract modified)