Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
childhood abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychosocial adjustment, adulthood
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Childhood physical and sexual abuse (CA) is associated with a greatly increased risk for problems in adulthood (Rumstein-McKean, & Hunsley, 2001). Prevalence rates of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, interpersonal difficulties, and adult victimization are higher among women with a history of CA (Ornduff, Kelsey, & O’Leary, 2001). Social support is theorized to mediate the relationship between CA and adult psychosocial adjustment (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000). Women who experienced both CA and adult sexual assault experience clinically significant levels of interpersonal problems unlike women who experienced adult assault but not CA, or women who had never been assaulted (Cloitre et al, 1997). Research studies have demonstrated that CA, interpersonal problems, social support, depression, and PTSD are interrelated, but no single unified model that incorporates all of these variables has been formulated to date.
Recommended Citation
Killpack, Jennifer and Layne, Dr. Christopher M.
(2013)
"Links Between Childhood Physical Abuse and Psychosocial Adjustment in Adulthood,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 489.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/489