Mediators of the link between childhood sexual abuse and adult depressive symptoms

A history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is strongly associated with adult depression. The goal of the present study wets to explore potential mediat ors of the CSA-depression link. The potential mediators were variables know n to be associated with depression: interpersonal problems, gender role ori entation, sociotropy, and self-silencing. The participants were 109 women a nd 83 men recruited from the community. approximately one third of whom had a history of CSA. The results indicated that gender role orientation, soci otropy, and self-silencing were not associated with a history of CSA. Howev er; both men and women with a history of CSA reported more interpersonal pr oblems than did individuals without this history. Whereas women reported be ing distant and controlling, men reported lacking assertiveness and taking too much responsibility in their relationships. These interpersonal variabl es partially mediated the link between CSA and depressive symptoms. Thus, i n part, CSA survivors may be at risk for depression because they experience interpersonal problems.