NCJ Number
215369
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 23-41
Date Published
2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the relationships between coping, depression, and self-esteem in an ethnically diverse sample of domestic violence (DV) survivors with and without histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
Abstract
The results indicated that the CSA survivors were more likely to use disengaged coping strategies, such as wishful thinking, self-criticism, and social withdrawal, than the non-CSA survivors when exposed to subsequent episodes of abuse in their adult lives. Moreover, both a history of CSA and the use of disengaged coping strategies were significantly associated with higher levels of depression and lower levels of self-esteem. Other findings indicated no significant differences between CSA and non-CSA survivors in the use of engaged coping strategies. Indeed, CSA survivors were found to use a blend of engaged and disengaged strategies when experiencing DV, which might suggest that CSA survivors are attempting to reframe their abuse experiences in an adaptive manner. CSA survivors may benefit from clinical interventions that target the less adaptive coping strategies that predispose DV survivors to depression and low self-esteem. Structured interviews were completed with 219 ethnically diverse female residents of the Urban Women’s Retreat, a residential facility for survivors of DV. Participants completed the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Statistical data analysis included the use of independent sample t-tests and hierarchical multiple regressions. Future research should employ a longitudinal design to explore the underlying causes for the differences in coping and psychological functioning found between CSA and non-CSA survivors of DV. Tables, references