[Contextual factors associated with the symptoms of teenagers victims of intrafamilial sexual aggression].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to identify the unique contribution of three sets of contextual factors (maternal supports, family problems and characteristics of the sexual aggression) on adolescents' post-disclosure symptoms. All participants were abused by a family member.


METHODS
A total of 71 adolescents girls were recruited from youth center services across Quebec. Psychological distress was evaluated with "Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children" (TSC-C; Briere, 1989). Adolescents also completed self-report instruments and semi-structured interviews to evaluate contextual factors.


RESULTS
Regression analyses indicated that general maternal support explain more variance in most of TSC-C symptoms than maternal response to disclosure. Analysis highlight that alcohol problems in family and various characteristics of sexual aggression explain a unique part of variance of several symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The discussion addresses the need to continue to explore these questions with more specific instruments to evaluate family problems. A large spectrum of symptoms should also be considered.
Thériault
Chantal
C
Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Que., H3C 3J7, Montreal, Canada
Cyr
Mireille
M
Wright
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007179:Incest / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*