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Predictors of attributions of self‐blame and internalizing behavior problems in sexually abused children
Author(s) -
Quas Jodi A.,
Goodman Gail S.,
Jones David P.H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/1469-7610.00158
Subject(s) - attribution , blame , psychology , sexual abuse , psychological abuse , child abuse , child sexual abuse , physical abuse , clinical psychology , coping (psychology) , poison control , developmental psychology , suicide prevention , psychiatry , social psychology , medicine , medical emergency
Background: The purpose of the present study was to identify predictors of two potential sequelae of child sexual abuse, self‐blame attributions and internalizing behavior problems. Methods: In the study, detailed information was collected on 218 victims of sexual abuse aged 4 to 17, involved in criminal cases, about their background, the abuse, and their mother's reaction following discovery of the abuse. Results: Increased attributions of self‐blame were predicted by the child having a close relationship with the perpetrator, experiencing severe sexual abuse (e.g., long‐lasting abuse that involved penetration), perceiving the abuse as disgusting, and coping with the abuse by pretending it was not happening. Similar factors did not emerge as predictors of internalizing behavior problems. Conclusions: Results suggest that different child and abuse characteristics predict the two sequelae often associated with childhood sexual abuse. Thus, although self‐blame attributions and behavior problems are often considered similar consequences of sexual abuse, there appears a need to distinguish the two types of outcomes following sexual victimization in childhood.