Perceived benefit from child sexual abuse.
People often report perceptions of benefit from adverse life experiences. In this study, adult perceptions of benefit from child sexual abuse were examined in a sample of 154 low-income women who were sexually abused as children. Almost half reported some perceived benefit. The benefits fell into 4 main categories: protecting children from abuse, self-protection, increased knowledge of child sexual abuse, and having a stronger personality. Degree of perceived benefit was associated with several indicators of adult adjustment. In addition, those who perceived themselves as stronger had higher self-esteem, and those who perceived increased sexual abuse knowledge viewed others more favorably and were more comfortable getting close to others, when compared with other respondents.
McMillen
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George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Zuravin
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Rideout
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G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development