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Abstract

This thesis investigated the long-term psychological and parental functioning of
31 adult women, who were sexually abused as children, and 31 controls drawn from a
community sample. It used a Perceived Trauma of Abuse Scale to investigate the
relationship between the actual features of the abuse experience and the subsequent
perception of trauma associated with the abuse, and to divide the sexually abused
subjects into a High Trauma and a Low Trauma group.
A close relationship to the offender, abuse continuing over a long period, and
disbelief or blame upon disclosure were most strongly correlated with high perceived
trauma. The High Trauma group suffered significantly higher levels of psychological
distress (withdrawal, dependence/low self esteem, anxiety, depression, borderline
personality type, and alcohol abuse) and parenting stress than the Nonabused group.
The psychological and parental functioning of the Low Trauma group more closely
resembled that of the Nonabused group than the High Trauma group. Neither abused
group differed significantly from the Nonabused group in parental attitudes, values
and practices.

Item Type:	Thesis - Coursework Master
Authors/Creators:	Fitzgerald, Anne
Keywords:	Child sexual abuse, Parenting
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1991 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (M.Psych.)--University of Tasmania, 1992. Includes bibliographical references
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