NCJ Number
184165
Journal
Journal of Child and Family Studies Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 151-168
Date Published
June 1999
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence and age of onset of physical and sexual abuse in a clinic-referred sample of adolescent girls, as well as differences in diagnoses and symptoms among abused and non-abused girls.
Abstract
A total of 49 girls (aged 13-17 years) with disruptive behavior were interviewed, along with their primary caretakers. Data were obtained through both a structured interview with the girl and her parent, as well as self-report and parent-report questionnaires. Findings show that the prevalence of conduct disorder (CD) and major depression were higher for abused girls. Somatoform pain disorder was significantly less likely for physically abused girls compared to girls who were both physically and sexually abused. Of CD symptoms, truancy was twice as high for the physically and sexually abused group compared to the prevalence for non-abused girls. Internalizing symptoms were also highest for the girls that were both physically and sexually abused. Onset graphs show that the onset of sexual abuse usually occurred at an earlier age than the onset of physical abuse. Abused girls showed an earlier age of onset of CD symptoms. Results thus indicate that the experience of both sexual abuse and physical abuse is associated with a poorer psychiatric prognosis. 5 figures and 46 references