Emotonal Support and Adjustment over a Year's Time following Sexual Abuse Discovery

• Published in: Child abuse & neglect 2003-06, Vol.27 (6), p.641-661
• Main Authors: Rosenthal, Saul, Feiring, Candice, Taska, Lynn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment; Adolescents; Age Differences; Child Sexual Abuse; Children; Sex Differences; Social Support; Victims
• ISSN: 0145-2134
• DOI: 10.1016/S0145-2134(03)00104-2

Objective: This study investigated age & gender differences in perceived emotional support in children & adolescents who experienced sexual abuse from the time of discovery to 1 year later. Also examined were the relations among sources of support & adjustment & whether support explained resilience, defined as better adjustment over a year's time. Method: 147 sexually abused youth were interviewed at the time of discovery (T1) & 1 year later (T2). Information gathered included severity of the sexual abuse, satisfaction with support from caregivers, same-sex & other-sex friends, feelings of shame about the abuse, & attributional style. Youth adjustment was measured using reports from the youth themselves, caregivers, & teachers. Results: Children reported the most satisfaction with support from caregivers followed by friends, whereas adolescents reported similar levels of support from friends & caregivers. Satisfaction with support was differentially related to adjustment. Youth who reported more satisfaction with caregiver support at T1, reported less depression, better self-esteem but more sexual anxiety 1 year later. More satisfaction with support from friends predicted lower self-esteem but less sexual anxiety. More satisfaction with initial caregiver support at T1 predicted better parent- & teacher-rated adjustment 1 year later, after controlling for initial adjustment. Conclusions: In general, initial caregiver emotional support at the time of abuse discovery predicted resilience in child & adolescent victims of sexual abuse. Findings suggested that treatment should include a focus on helping caregivers provide appropriate emotional support. 3 Tables, 55 References. Adapted from the source document.