Psychological Correlates of Sexual Abuse in Adolescent Girls In Chemical Dependency Treatment

• NCJ Number: 118718
• Journal: Adolescence Volume: 24 Issue: 94 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 279-301
• Author(s): G E Edwall; N G Hoffmann; P A Harrison
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Instructional Material (Programmed)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A study involving 597 adolescent girls in treatment for substance abuse between 1984 and 1986 at nine inpatient facilities in five States reveals a striking high prevalence of sexual abuse victimization.

Abstract

Over one-third (35.2 percent) of the girls acknowledged such history. In an additional 9.7 percent of the cases, the primary counselor reported such a history for the patient, although she had denied it, at least at intake. Within this multiproblem, highly stressed population, the sexual abuse victim appears to show slightly different and often more serious psychopathology: a greater incidence of suicidal ideation and attempts, symptoms of agitation, and a sense of shame. 4 tables and 9 references. (Publisher abstract)