title: Comparing dissociation and PTSD in sexually abused school-aged girls.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess and contrast dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a group of sexually abused school-aged girls compared with a matched group. Results from bivariate analyses show that the two symptom constellations represent distinct constructs. Logistic regression analysis indicates that sexual victimization significantly increases the odds of presenting with a clinical level of dissociation and PTSD symptoms, respectively, by eightfold and fourfold. On the basis of a multivariate design, abuse severity indicators, namely, penetration, relationship to perpetrator (intrafamilial versus extrafamilial abuse), and chronicity, did not prove predictive of dissociation symptoms. The least and the most severe forms of childhood sexual abuse both increase dissociative symptoms. The data indicate also that intrafamilial abuse and chronicity do not predict PTSD. However, abuse involving intrusive acts (penetration) does predict PTSD symptoms. Implications for intervention and further research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3P8.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collin-Vézina
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hébert
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005220:Fathers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007179:Incest / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires