Child sexual abuse victims' perception of paternal support as a significant predictor of coping style and global self-worth.
One hundred eighty-eight female participants (44 victims and 144 non-victims of CSA) from a 4-year university were recruited. The first objective examined the difference between victims and non-victims on measures of perceived social support, coping strategies, and global self-worth. Victims were more likely to report lower maternal support than non-victims of CSA. Additionally, victims who were perpetrated by a family member were more likely to report lower maternal support than those who were perpetrated by a non-family member. The second objective investigated the impact of victimization and several mediating factors on global self-worth. Victimization indirectly related to global self-worth through paternal support. Additional analyses examining non-victims showed significant direct relations between paternal, friend, and campus support leading to global self-worth. For victims, paternal support indirectly related to global self-worth through emotion- focused coping. These results indicate that paternal support and coping strategies may be important for later psychological adjustment in victims of CSA.
Guelzow
Jennifer W
JW
Tarleton State University, Department of Educational Administration, Counseling, and Psychology, Box T-0820, Stephenville, TX 76402, USA.
Cornett
Patricia F
PF
Dougherty
Thomas M
TM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support