PERCEIVED BENEFIT FROM CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

People often report perceptions of benefit from adverse life experienc es. In this study, adult perceptions of benefit from child sexual abus e were examined in a sample of 154 low-income women who were sexually abused as children. Almost half reported some perceived benefit. The b enefits fell into 4 main categories: protecting children from abuse, s elf-protection, increased knowledge of child sexual abuse, and having a stronger personality. Degree of perceived benefit was associated wit h several indicators of adult adjustment. In addition, those who perce ived themselves as stronger had higher self-esteem, and those who perc eived increased sexual abuse knowledge viewed others more favorably an d were more comfortable getting close to others, when compared with ot her respondents.