FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF TREATMENT SERVICES BY SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRLS

This study describes the naturalistic therapy experiences of a sample of sexually abused girls and the relationship of these experiences to demographic factors, abuse experiences, psychopathology, and family fu nctioning. The sample consisted of 81 sexually abused girls, aged 6 to 16, participating in a longitudinal study of the effects of sexual ab use. Results indicated strong effects for abuse experiences and child psychopathology on the total amount of therapy received. Patterns of t reatment utilization were associated with ethnic minority status, but these differences are confounded by differing abuse experiences for ra cial groups in the sample. Other patterns of treatment utilization are discussed, as well as issues for further research and implications fo r treatment providers. 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd