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Relationship of Race/Ethnicity to Symptoms in Childhood Sexual Abuse

NCJ Number
153325
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 115-124
Author(s)
F E Mennen
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between race/ethnicity and symptom severity in a sample of 134 sexually abused girls recruited from three Southern California facilities.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 51 white, 38 Hispanic, 35 black, 8 Asian, and 2 other girls who ranged in age from 6 to 18 years (average age 13.4 years). Symptoms chosen for evaluation included depression, anxiety, and self-worth. It was found that race/ethnicity did not significantly predict outcome, although the interaction of race/ethnicity with abuse type was significant. Hispanic girls who experienced penetration abuse scored significantly higher on all outcome measures than Hispanic girls who did not experience penetration. Hispanic girls tended to score higher on anxiety and depression than black or white girls. Possible explanations for and implications of the study findings are explored. 39 references and 6 tables