NCJ Number
162770
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (1995) Pages: 27-44
Date Published
1995
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A longitudinal study examined the effects of foster care placement versus remaining at home on the psychological functioning of 64 black females ages 5-16 years who had been sexually abused.
Abstract
The children were initially evaluated with a multimethod assessment protocol within 6 months following the report of the abuse and were reevaluated approximately 1 year later. Findings indicated that the group as a whole showed a decline in affective distress and depression. However, the children continued to display disturbed perceptions of relationships and high levels of stress relative to their adaptive coping skills. The caregivers continued to rate the children as displaying many behavioral problems, low social competence, considerable anxiety related to sexual abuse, and sexual acting-out behavior. Overall, those who remained at home and those who were placed in foster care did not differ significantly in their psychological functioning. Supplementary, cross-sectional analyses involving 24 additional children revealed that several maternal variables were related to the child's adaptation. Table and 46 references (Author abstract modified)