AUTHENTICITY OF RECOVERED SEXUAL ABUSE MEMORIES - A RORSCHACH STUDY

Distinguishing authentic abuse from false memory among adults who reco ver memories of childhood sexual trauma has far-reaching significance. This study initially examined 13 previously reported Rorschach signs of sexual abuse in women not abused, and women sexually abused (and no t amnestic). The abuse signs were more prevalent in the abused group. A sexual abuse index composed of 8 signs correctly classified 93% of t he abused, and 98% of the nonabused group. The index was then applied to women who recovered memories of abuse; some had analogues of dissoc iation in their protocols and others did not. Those exhibiting dissoci ative signs produced more signs of sexual abuse. The index classified 88% of the dissociative group as abused, but only 24% of the nondissoc iative group. The relevance of these findings for assessing authentici ty of recovered memories is explored.