A retrospective analysis of shame, dissociation, and adult victimization in survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Abstract

The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and victimization in adulthood was studied using a sample of 548 university women, including 56 who reported childhood incidences of incestuous abuse, 98 who reported sexual abuse by a peer or a nonfamily member, and 394 who reported no childhood sexual abuse experiences. Possible mediating variables of shame and dissociation were investigated. Chi-square analyses showed that there was a statistically significant association between women who were abused in childhood and adult victimization. Logit regression analyses demonstrated that the odds of revictimization in adulthood were greater for women who were abused in childhood than for those who were not abused. Dissociation was not found to be a predictor of adult victimization, whereas shame was found to be a statistically significant predictor.

Sexual assault and alcohol consumption: what do we know about their relationship and what types of research are still needed?

“…These findings are usually described in terms of the long-term negative consequences associated with childhood sexual abuse that may lead some of its victims to become heavy drinkers and to have difficulty establishing long-term romantic relationships. Childhood sexual abuse affects survivors' beliefs and attitudes regarding sex and intimacy, often leading to problematic interpersonal relationships (Kessler & Bieschke, 1999). Childhood sexual abuse survivors often report engaging in risky sexual behaviors including frequent sexual activity with multiple partners (Beitchman, Zucker, Hood, & Dacosta, 1992).…”

Incarcerated women: Impact of childhood sexual abuse and family functioning on dissociation and psychological distress

“…Analysis of past research shows that, not only will anywhere from 25% to 40% of women in American society experience CSA, but that these same women are more likely than nonvictims to be sexually assaulted in adulthood (Nishith et al, 2000;Sandberg et al, 1994;Swett & Halpert, 1995). Kessler and Bieschke's (1999) retrospective study on shame and revictimization also suggest that those with CSA histories and dissociative symptoms have a greater risk of adult revictimization. Their investigation found that shame and associated negative self-attributions appear to put the adult victim more at risk when dissociation desensitizes or blocks the individual's awareness of danger.…”

“…She suggests that dissociation's most damaging impact is its' disruption to an individual's conscious ability to attend to cognitive and sensory input. She notes that, most importantly, dissociation separates an individual from the internal self and diminishes his or her ability to protect from revictimization (Kessler & Bieschke, 1999;i<.luft, 1990). This separation from self can also be disruptive to the CSA survivors' healing process.…”

“…Trauma theorists and researchers acknowledge that a CSA history often plays a crucial etiological role in triggering and maintaining a variety of psychological disorders across various domains of functioning (Briere & Runtz, 1988;Browne & Finklehor, 1986;Gold et al, 1999;Kessler & Bieschke, 1999;Nishith et al, 2000;Terr, 1991). Dissociative disorders and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD}-often part of the same CSA survivor profile-are the most :frequently cited (Waites, 1993).…”

“…The child's sense of threat, initially related to the abuse, most likely increases when the family does not provide sanctuary from, or emotional assistance with the processing of (expressiveness), associated fear or intense emotions (Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991;Kessler & Bieschke, 1999).…”