CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ADULT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN FEMALE PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

Objective: The present study investigated the relationship of characte ristics of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology. Meth od: Referrals to a female psychiatrist in private practice in an urban working class area provided 73 adult female subjects who reported hav ing been sexually abused in childhood. Data were collected on age at o nset, duration, physical invasiveness of the abuse, violence, and the number and relationship of abusers. Results: Having had multiple abuse rs in childhood was significantly (p<0.01) associated with every outco me measure of severe psychopathology: an initial Global Assessment Fun ctioning score of 50 or below; both single and repeated incidents of d eliberate self-harm; overdose; self-mutilation; and psychiatric hospit al admission. Conclusions: Notably, having had multiple abusers was th e only characteristic showing a reliable independent association with any of these measures. Subjects who had had multiple abusers were sign ificantly more likely to have an earlier age of onset and longer durat ion of abuse, and to have experienced violent abuse.