title: Measurement of self-esteem in repeat assault victims.
abstract: Background characterization of assault-related injuries have demonstrated that lifestyle, substance abuse, education, employment, mental illness, and high-risk behavior contribute to low self-esteem in repeat assault victims. Recurrent-assault patients have never been studied with respect to self-esteem. This study evaluated self-esteem and assault-related injury in 28 consecutive male assault patients (11 first-assault and 17 recurrent-assault patients) and 19 controls with no previous assault history. Study participants were administered the Walmyr Assessment Scales Index of Self-Esteem (WASISE) as part of a three-item survey to determine the relationship between self-esteem and assault-related injury. No demographic differences were found between the groups. The mean (+/- standard error) WASISE score for recurrent-assault patients (34.9 +/- 3.4) was significantly higher than mean scores for no-assault and first-time assault-injured patients (14.7 +/- 1.4 and 15.0 +/- 2.3, respectively). The recurrent-assault patients had a lower mean education level than both no-assault and first-time assault-injured patients (2.1 +/- 0.26 and 1.9 +/- 0.57, respectively). Eighteen (2%) first-time assault-injured and 11 (7%) recurrent-assault patients were employed. These data suggest that self-esteem, education, and employment history need to be considered when evaluating and developing interventions for repeat-assault patients.
authors.affiliation: Maryland Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moncure
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Clack
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Simpkins
mesh_terms: D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D014754:Violence