Childhood abuse and parental disorders reported by Navy outpatient mental health patients.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the number of Navy outpatient mental health patients reporting a history of childhood abuse. To explore the relationships among abuse history, parental/step-parental substance abuse, mental illness, and divorce.


METHODS
Review of 134 clinical data forms completed by patients when first seen.


RESULTS
Twenty-six percent reported at least one type of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional). Proportionally more females reported any one type of abuse. Assailants were predominantly males, typically fathers or stepfathers. Verbal abuse significantly affected childhood happiness. Parental substance abuse, mental illness, or divorce before age 19 reduced childhood happiness, and abuse further reduced it.


CONCLUSIONS
Childhood abuse is commonly reported by Navy mental health patients and may affect their adjustment to military life.
Mental Health Department, Naval Hospital Pensacola, FL 32512, USA.
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DA
Dansak
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004243:Divorce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology