Reports of childhood sexual abuse by adolescents and young adults: stability over time.
The consistency of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) reporting was explored in this study. Two-hundred seventeen adolescents and young adults (ages 14-24) enrolled in urban health care clinics completed self-report questionnaires assessing CSA and other problem behaviors at enrollment and at 7 months. Results indicated that the stability of CSA self-report at two time points was poor (58% consistent nonreporters of CSA, 20% consistent reporters, 22% inconsistent reporters). Consistent and inconsistent reporters were differentiated on risk measures. Adolescents who endorsed more items from the CSA scale were five times more likely to be consistent reporters. In sum, adolescent CSA reporting was quite inconsistent over time. Using multi-item scales and assessing CSA at two time points enhances accuracy of reporting.
Aalsma
Matthew C
MC
Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 575 N. West Dr., Rm. 070, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. maalsma@iupui.edu
Aalsma
Matthew C
MC
Zimet
Gregory D
GD
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Blythe
Margaret
M
Orr
Donald P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010553:Personality Development; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data