Data were collected through a retrospective chart review of all patients treated over a 5-year period (1987-1992) at a tertiary care public-sector psychiatric hospital. The sample was divided into four groups: no history of sexual abuse (n=226), isolated events (n=62), intermittent abuse (n=61), and chronic (n=150). The findings show that youth with sexual abuse histories were more often female, had higher rates of social chaos and associated physical abuse and neglect, and had higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse disorders. Chronically abused subjects came from the most chaotic and abusive backgrounds, were younger when first abused, had the highest number of abusers, were more likely to have been molested, and were more often abused by their father/stepfather and/or their mother/stepmother. Using logistic regression analyses, sexual abuse histories were predicted by sexually inappropriate behaviors, symptoms of PTSD and borderline personality disorders, dissociative symptoms, substance abuse, and animal cruelty. 4 tables and 11 references