Characteristics of childhood sexual abuse and adult psychopathology in female psychiatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the relationship of characteristics of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology.


METHODS
Referrals to a female psychiatrist in private practice in an urban working class area provided 73 adult female subjects who reported having been sexually abused in childhood. Data were collected on age at onset, duration, physical invasiveness of the abuse, violence, and the number and relationship of abusers.


RESULTS
Having had multiple abusers in childhood was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with every outcome measure of severe psychopathology: an initial Global Assessment Functioning score of 50 or below; both single and repeated incidents of deliberate self-harm; overdose; self-mutilation; and psychiatric hospital admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Notably, having had multiple abusers was the only characteristic showing a reliable independent association with any of these measures. Subjects who had had multiple abusers were significantly more likely to have an earlier age of onset and longer duration of abuse, and to have experienced violent abuse.
Pettigrew
J
J
Prognosys Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia.
Burcham
J
J
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs