NCJ Number
147470
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1994) Pages: 95-108
Date Published
1994
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study used data gathered from 2,964 professional Dutch women to examine the impact of religious faith on the prevalence rate of sexual abuse, the impact of sexual abuse on adult religious practices, and the impact of religious upbringing on the symptoms of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
The results indicate that the religious orientation of the victim's family of origin does not impact the prevalence of sexual abuse. However, the prevalence of sexual abuse was differentially mediated by the integration of religious beliefs into the family life of conservative Christians. On the other hand, parents' endorsement of conservative Christian beliefs without integration of those beliefs into family life was associated with an increased risk for sexual abuse. The study findings showed that the impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult religious practice was dependent on whether the abuse was committed by a family member and the degree of religious observance practiced by the victim's parents. The study also found that sexual abuse is a trauma-inducing event for women regardless of their religious orientation, although some circumstances of abuse may be more traumatic than others, depending on their own level of religious observance. 1 table, 3 figures, 1 note, and 23 references