DIFFERENCES AMONG SEXUALLY ABUSED AND NONABUSED WOMEN FROM FUNCTIONALAND DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

This study identified a previously unexamined group of sexual abuse su rvivors (those from functional families) and addressed methodological flaws in previous research by examining differences among abused women from functional families, abused women from dysfunctional families, n onabused women from dysfunctional families, and nonabused women from f unctional families. Measures of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal problems were completed by participants along with a measure of overa ll distress across a cluster of symptoms associated with childhood sex ual abuse. On all four measures, the abused-dysfunctional group report ed the highest level of psychological distress. Conversely, the level of psychological distress reported by the abused-functional group did not differ from that of the nonabused-functional or nonabused-dysfunct ional groups. Research and counseling implications are discussed.