Page 1. Adolescent Dating Violence 1 SELF-EFFICACY, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND ADOLESCENT DATING VIO... more Page 1. Adolescent Dating Violence 1 SELF-EFFICACY, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND ADOLESCENT DATING VIOLENCE Christine Schwartz & Marsha Runtz, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria Paper presented ...
This study investigated the links between sexual assault experiences, posttraumatic stress sympto... more This study investigated the links between sexual assault experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and adverse physical health outcomes among undergraduate women. Existing research has demonstrated that posttraumatic stress disorder mediates the relationship between trauma exposure and physical health in general, but this has yet to be tested for sexual assault specifically. Using structural equation modeling, support was found for a model in which posttraumatic stress symptom severity partially mediates the association between sexual assault severity and self-reported health outcomes. An alternative model using depression symptoms did not meet the criteria for mediation. Implications for the physical health of sexual assault survivors are discussed. Sexual assault is a relatively common trauma experience among women that has a high probability of leading to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995), thus making sexual assault survivors an important population for trauma research. Although a variety of traumatic events have been linked to the development of trauma symptoms, rape is the trauma most likely to lead to PTSD (Kessler et al., 1995; Kilpatrick, Saunders, Veronen, Best, & Von, 1987). Assault-related PTSD occurred in 46% of sexually assaulted women in the National Comorbidity Study (Kessler et al., 1995) and in 57% of women with a history of rape in Kilpatrick et al.'s criminal victimization study. These are considerably greater than rates of PTSD in general populations of trauma-exposed women (e.g., 20-30%; Breslau, Davis, Andreski, & Peterson, 1991; Kessler et al., 1995), suggesting that sexual assault survivors are at particular risk of developing PTSD. Across a diverse range of populations, trauma exposure has been consistently linked to adverse physical health outcomes such as selfreported health problems, poorer perceptions of overall health, higher rates of medical service utilization, greater likelihood of being diagnosed with a medical condition, and increased mortality (Friedman & Schnurr, 1995; Schnurr & Green, 2004). The association between trauma and physical health problems often increases with trauma severity (Friedman & Schnurr) and remains even after controlling for age, socioeconomic status, stressful life This study was supported by a scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
A 33-item Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-33) is presented, and the psychometric properties of this... more A 33-item Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-33) is presented, and the psychometric properties of this scale are summarized from four separate studies. Developed to assess the impact of childhood abuse on later (adult) functioning, the TSC-33 consists of five subscales (Dissociation, Anxiety, Depression, Post-Sexual Abuse Trauma-hypothesized [PSAT-h], and Sleep Disturbance) and a total scale score. Data suggest that the TSC-33 and its associated subscales are reasonably reliable measures that display some predictive and discriminative validity with regard to childhood sexual abuse. Other variables appear to elevate checklist scores as well, however, such as physical abuse history and mental health client status, although apparently not gender.
Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 1986
The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent suicidality was examined in 195 wo... more The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent suicidality was examined in 195 women presenting to the Crisis Intervention program of a community health centre. As predicted, former sexual abuse victims were considerably more likely to have made at least one suicide attempt in the past (55%) than were non-abused clients (23%), and were more likely to report suicidal ideation upon intake. Rirther analysis revealed that sexual abuse was specifically associated with suicide attempts which occurred in childhood or adolescence. Among former sexual abuse victims, greater suicidality was correlated with multiple perpetrators, concurrent physical abuse, and sexual intercourse. Childhood sexual abuse is hypothesized to result in lowered self-esteem, guilt and self-blame, perceived powerlessness, and interpersonal dysfunction-all of which may lead to increased selfdestructiveness. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. Recent research on the incidence and effects of childhood sexual abuse challenges long-held assumptions and beliefs concerning sexual molestation. Current data suggests, for example, that approximately 1/5 to 1/3 of adult women have experi
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 1992
Although many articles advocate treatment for child victims of sexual abuse, few studies have exa... more Although many articles advocate treatment for child victims of sexual abuse, few studies have examined the effects of such treatment. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of group treatment for seven- to nine-year-old girls who had been sexually abused. The usefulness of parent-report and self-report measures in assessing therapeutic change was also examined. Findings support the hypothesis that group treatment decreases problem behaviors as reported by parents. The findings of the self-report data, however, were inconsistent. Implications for the measurement of therapeutic change in young sexually abused children are discussed.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Yet, despite an increasingly ex... more Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Yet, despite an increasingly extensive literature on interpersonal violence, research on male victims of IPV remains sparse and the associations between different forms of child maltreatment (CM) and IPV victimization and perpetration in men remains unclear. The present meta-analysis evaluated five different forms of CM (sexual, physical, and psychological abuses, neglect, and witnessing IPV) as they predicted sexual, psychological, and physical IPV perpetration and victimization in men. Overall, most available studies examined men as perpetrators of IPV, whereas studies of victimization in men were relatively scarce. Results reveal an overall significant association ( r = .19) between CM and IPV. The magnitude of this effect did not vary as a function of type (perpetration vs. victimization) or form (sexual, psychological, or physical) of IPV. Although all forms of CM were related to IPV, with effect sizes ranging fr...
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2016
The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995), a measure of the psychological effects of traum... more The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995), a measure of the psychological effects of trauma and other adverse events, was recently expanded and updated (TSI-2; Briere, 2011). This study evaluated 4 competing models of TSI-2 dimensionality and determined the predictive validity of the best fitting solution. Data were collected from 679 adults in the general population. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a 4-factor solution best fit the data. All 4 factors of the final model were significant predictors of exposure to trauma or some other very upsetting event, especially posttraumatic stress. Additional research is indicated to further probe the characteristics of the TSI-2, including its dimensionality in other groups.
Previous studies highlighted robust relations between sexual victimization and psychological symp... more Previous studies highlighted robust relations between sexual victimization and psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression (Briere & Rickards, 2007; Godbout et al., 2006). Results of a growing number of empirical studies suggest that sexual victimization is related to deleterious effects on sexual functioning (Najman et al., 2005). The goal of this study is to examine the role of depression and anxiety in the association between sexual victimization and sexual functioning, in men and women. Regression analyses indicated that the link between sexual victimization and sexual disturbances was partially mediated by elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, results showed two moderation effects. First, CSA and symptoms of anxiety were found to interact to lead to greater sexual concerns. Second, depressed CSA survivors were more likely to report dysfunctional sexual behaviors. Gender differences were observed and results indicated that gender also needs to be taken...
Early sexually abusive experiences are linked to greater risks of interpersonal and sexual proble... more Early sexually abusive experiences are linked to greater risks of interpersonal and sexual problems in adulthood (Godbout et al., 2006; Lacelle et al., 2012). A number of empirical studies also suggest that adult sexual assault (ASA) is related to deleterious effects on survivors’ sexual and social functioning (Briere et al., 1997; Hanson et al., 1995; Resick, 1993). Studies have shown that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may contribute to the development of insecure attachment which in turn have been found to predict psychological and marital suffering (Alexander, 2009; Godbout, et al., 2006). Finkelhor and Browne’s (1985) traumagenic dynamics theory can be used to understand the relation between CSA and sexual functioning; that is, traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness may interfere with the development of satisfactory intimate relationships and positive sexuality in adulthood. Those difficulties can be further exacerbated by sexual revictimization in a...
Clinical knowledge and an emerging empirical literature are highlighting many long-lasting delete... more Clinical knowledge and an emerging empirical literature are highlighting many long-lasting deleterious effects of childhood interpersonal trauma on couple functioning. Early experiences of violence and maltreatment seem particularly to affect the subsequent ability of survivors to establish lasting, satisfying intimate relationships. This paper presents an overview of the scientific work on the prevalence of interpersonal trauma and its effects on couple relationships, in addition to presenting conceptual models and offering avenues for assessment and directions for therapy. With alarming prevalence rates in the community (e.g., 35% of adults in Quebec report having experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence or neglect, or having witnessed domestic violence during childhood; Brassard et al., 2012) and clinical populations (e.g., 56% of women and 37% of men consulting for a sexual or conjugal problem report childhood sexual abuse; Berthelot, Godbout, Hébert, Goulet, & Ber...
Les connaissances cliniques ainsi qu'une littérature empirique émergente mettent en lumière p... more Les connaissances cliniques ainsi qu'une littérature empirique émergente mettent en lumière plusieurs répercussions délétères durables des traumas interperson-nels vécus en enfance sur le fonctionnement conjugal. Les expériences de violence et de maltraitance précoces semblent notamment affecter la capacité ultérieure des survivants à établir des relations intimes durables et satisfaisantes. Cet article présente un survol des travaux scientifiques sur la prévalence des traumas interpersonnels et sur leurs répercussions sur la relation de couple, en plus de présenter des modèles conceptuels et d'offrir des pistes pour l'évaluation et l'orientation du traitement en contexte conjugal. Mots clés : trauma interpersonnel, traumatisme psychique, mauvais traitements en enfance, violence, relation de couple, évaluation, traitement Avec des taux de prévalence alarmants au sein de la communauté (p. ex. 35 % des adultes québécois rappor-tent avoir vécu de la violence physique, s...
Page 1. Adolescent Dating Violence 1 SELF-EFFICACY, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND ADOLESCENT DATING VIO... more Page 1. Adolescent Dating Violence 1 SELF-EFFICACY, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND ADOLESCENT DATING VIOLENCE Christine Schwartz & Marsha Runtz, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria Paper presented ...
This study investigated the links between sexual assault experiences, posttraumatic stress sympto... more This study investigated the links between sexual assault experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and adverse physical health outcomes among undergraduate women. Existing research has demonstrated that posttraumatic stress disorder mediates the relationship between trauma exposure and physical health in general, but this has yet to be tested for sexual assault specifically. Using structural equation modeling, support was found for a model in which posttraumatic stress symptom severity partially mediates the association between sexual assault severity and self-reported health outcomes. An alternative model using depression symptoms did not meet the criteria for mediation. Implications for the physical health of sexual assault survivors are discussed. Sexual assault is a relatively common trauma experience among women that has a high probability of leading to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995), thus making sexual assault survivors an important population for trauma research. Although a variety of traumatic events have been linked to the development of trauma symptoms, rape is the trauma most likely to lead to PTSD (Kessler et al., 1995; Kilpatrick, Saunders, Veronen, Best, & Von, 1987). Assault-related PTSD occurred in 46% of sexually assaulted women in the National Comorbidity Study (Kessler et al., 1995) and in 57% of women with a history of rape in Kilpatrick et al.'s criminal victimization study. These are considerably greater than rates of PTSD in general populations of trauma-exposed women (e.g., 20-30%; Breslau, Davis, Andreski, & Peterson, 1991; Kessler et al., 1995), suggesting that sexual assault survivors are at particular risk of developing PTSD. Across a diverse range of populations, trauma exposure has been consistently linked to adverse physical health outcomes such as selfreported health problems, poorer perceptions of overall health, higher rates of medical service utilization, greater likelihood of being diagnosed with a medical condition, and increased mortality (Friedman & Schnurr, 1995; Schnurr & Green, 2004). The association between trauma and physical health problems often increases with trauma severity (Friedman & Schnurr) and remains even after controlling for age, socioeconomic status, stressful life This study was supported by a scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
A 33-item Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-33) is presented, and the psychometric properties of this... more A 33-item Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-33) is presented, and the psychometric properties of this scale are summarized from four separate studies. Developed to assess the impact of childhood abuse on later (adult) functioning, the TSC-33 consists of five subscales (Dissociation, Anxiety, Depression, Post-Sexual Abuse Trauma-hypothesized [PSAT-h], and Sleep Disturbance) and a total scale score. Data suggest that the TSC-33 and its associated subscales are reasonably reliable measures that display some predictive and discriminative validity with regard to childhood sexual abuse. Other variables appear to elevate checklist scores as well, however, such as physical abuse history and mental health client status, although apparently not gender.
Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 1986
The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent suicidality was examined in 195 wo... more The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent suicidality was examined in 195 women presenting to the Crisis Intervention program of a community health centre. As predicted, former sexual abuse victims were considerably more likely to have made at least one suicide attempt in the past (55%) than were non-abused clients (23%), and were more likely to report suicidal ideation upon intake. Rirther analysis revealed that sexual abuse was specifically associated with suicide attempts which occurred in childhood or adolescence. Among former sexual abuse victims, greater suicidality was correlated with multiple perpetrators, concurrent physical abuse, and sexual intercourse. Childhood sexual abuse is hypothesized to result in lowered self-esteem, guilt and self-blame, perceived powerlessness, and interpersonal dysfunction-all of which may lead to increased selfdestructiveness. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. Recent research on the incidence and effects of childhood sexual abuse challenges long-held assumptions and beliefs concerning sexual molestation. Current data suggests, for example, that approximately 1/5 to 1/3 of adult women have experi
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 1992
Although many articles advocate treatment for child victims of sexual abuse, few studies have exa... more Although many articles advocate treatment for child victims of sexual abuse, few studies have examined the effects of such treatment. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of group treatment for seven- to nine-year-old girls who had been sexually abused. The usefulness of parent-report and self-report measures in assessing therapeutic change was also examined. Findings support the hypothesis that group treatment decreases problem behaviors as reported by parents. The findings of the self-report data, however, were inconsistent. Implications for the measurement of therapeutic change in young sexually abused children are discussed.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Yet, despite an increasingly ex... more Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Yet, despite an increasingly extensive literature on interpersonal violence, research on male victims of IPV remains sparse and the associations between different forms of child maltreatment (CM) and IPV victimization and perpetration in men remains unclear. The present meta-analysis evaluated five different forms of CM (sexual, physical, and psychological abuses, neglect, and witnessing IPV) as they predicted sexual, psychological, and physical IPV perpetration and victimization in men. Overall, most available studies examined men as perpetrators of IPV, whereas studies of victimization in men were relatively scarce. Results reveal an overall significant association ( r = .19) between CM and IPV. The magnitude of this effect did not vary as a function of type (perpetration vs. victimization) or form (sexual, psychological, or physical) of IPV. Although all forms of CM were related to IPV, with effect sizes ranging fr...
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2016
The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995), a measure of the psychological effects of traum... more The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995), a measure of the psychological effects of trauma and other adverse events, was recently expanded and updated (TSI-2; Briere, 2011). This study evaluated 4 competing models of TSI-2 dimensionality and determined the predictive validity of the best fitting solution. Data were collected from 679 adults in the general population. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a 4-factor solution best fit the data. All 4 factors of the final model were significant predictors of exposure to trauma or some other very upsetting event, especially posttraumatic stress. Additional research is indicated to further probe the characteristics of the TSI-2, including its dimensionality in other groups.
Previous studies highlighted robust relations between sexual victimization and psychological symp... more Previous studies highlighted robust relations between sexual victimization and psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression (Briere & Rickards, 2007; Godbout et al., 2006). Results of a growing number of empirical studies suggest that sexual victimization is related to deleterious effects on sexual functioning (Najman et al., 2005). The goal of this study is to examine the role of depression and anxiety in the association between sexual victimization and sexual functioning, in men and women. Regression analyses indicated that the link between sexual victimization and sexual disturbances was partially mediated by elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, results showed two moderation effects. First, CSA and symptoms of anxiety were found to interact to lead to greater sexual concerns. Second, depressed CSA survivors were more likely to report dysfunctional sexual behaviors. Gender differences were observed and results indicated that gender also needs to be taken...
Early sexually abusive experiences are linked to greater risks of interpersonal and sexual proble... more Early sexually abusive experiences are linked to greater risks of interpersonal and sexual problems in adulthood (Godbout et al., 2006; Lacelle et al., 2012). A number of empirical studies also suggest that adult sexual assault (ASA) is related to deleterious effects on survivors’ sexual and social functioning (Briere et al., 1997; Hanson et al., 1995; Resick, 1993). Studies have shown that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may contribute to the development of insecure attachment which in turn have been found to predict psychological and marital suffering (Alexander, 2009; Godbout, et al., 2006). Finkelhor and Browne’s (1985) traumagenic dynamics theory can be used to understand the relation between CSA and sexual functioning; that is, traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness may interfere with the development of satisfactory intimate relationships and positive sexuality in adulthood. Those difficulties can be further exacerbated by sexual revictimization in a...
Clinical knowledge and an emerging empirical literature are highlighting many long-lasting delete... more Clinical knowledge and an emerging empirical literature are highlighting many long-lasting deleterious effects of childhood interpersonal trauma on couple functioning. Early experiences of violence and maltreatment seem particularly to affect the subsequent ability of survivors to establish lasting, satisfying intimate relationships. This paper presents an overview of the scientific work on the prevalence of interpersonal trauma and its effects on couple relationships, in addition to presenting conceptual models and offering avenues for assessment and directions for therapy. With alarming prevalence rates in the community (e.g., 35% of adults in Quebec report having experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence or neglect, or having witnessed domestic violence during childhood; Brassard et al., 2012) and clinical populations (e.g., 56% of women and 37% of men consulting for a sexual or conjugal problem report childhood sexual abuse; Berthelot, Godbout, Hébert, Goulet, & Ber...
Les connaissances cliniques ainsi qu'une littérature empirique émergente mettent en lumière p... more Les connaissances cliniques ainsi qu'une littérature empirique émergente mettent en lumière plusieurs répercussions délétères durables des traumas interperson-nels vécus en enfance sur le fonctionnement conjugal. Les expériences de violence et de maltraitance précoces semblent notamment affecter la capacité ultérieure des survivants à établir des relations intimes durables et satisfaisantes. Cet article présente un survol des travaux scientifiques sur la prévalence des traumas interpersonnels et sur leurs répercussions sur la relation de couple, en plus de présenter des modèles conceptuels et d'offrir des pistes pour l'évaluation et l'orientation du traitement en contexte conjugal. Mots clés : trauma interpersonnel, traumatisme psychique, mauvais traitements en enfance, violence, relation de couple, évaluation, traitement Avec des taux de prévalence alarmants au sein de la communauté (p. ex. 35 % des adultes québécois rappor-tent avoir vécu de la violence physique, s...
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