title: Conceptualization of the complex outcomes of sexual abuse: a signal detection analysis.
abstract: Eighty-five New Zealand based practitioners experienced in treating adults with a history of child sexual abuse participated in an online judgment study of child sexual abuse outcomes using signal detection theory methodology. Participants' level of sensitivity was assessed independent of their degree of response bias when discriminating (a) known child sexual abuse outcomes from behaviors thought to be unrelated to child sexual abuse and (b) direct child sexual abuse effects from subsequent coping strategies. Results demonstrated good sensitivity (accuracy) when identifying child sexual abuse effects from noneffects. When asked to discriminate direct child sexual abuse effects from ways of coping with distress, practitioners' accuracy was reduced, revealing a tendency to identify all effects as coping. Although treatment approaches highlight the pivotal role of identifying coping strategies, practitioners did not perceive maladaptive coping as a distinct clinical feature. Complex abuse cases may benefit from replacing maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., self-harm) with constructive coping (e.g., social support) in order to deliver efficacious practice.
authors: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. ppechtel@mclean.harvard.edu
authors: Pia
authors: P
authors: Pechtel
authors: Ian M
authors: IM
authors: Evans
authors: John V
authors: JV
authors: Podd
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires