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Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Female Sexual Abuse Survivors Seeking Treatment

NCJ Number
170810
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (1997) Pages: 65-85
Author(s)
C Koopman; C Gore-Felton; D Spiegel
Date Published
1997
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examines relationships between acute stress disorder symptoms and sexual abuse history, distress, and social support among sexual abuse survivors seeking treatment.
Abstract
Thirty-two women participated in a pilot study of group treatment for sexual abuse survivors who completed self-report and interview measures. The women were recruited through community survivors groups, local psychotherapists, and newspaper advertisements. Many participants (37.5 percent) met criteria for all acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. Also, ASD symptoms were significantly related to seeing the self as the causal locus of the abuse, forgetting the abuse for a period of time, and the number of abusers, the distress of a recent life event, other forms of distress, and poor social support. The prevalence of ASD symptoms also appeared to indicate a significant risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder in response to recent life stress. Acute stress disorder may occur among many sexual abuse survivors seeking treatment, requiring special intervention to help these patients manage their reactions to ongoing stresses. Table, references