The relationship of sexual abuse to symptom levels in emotionally disturbed girls

This research study examined symptom levels and sexual abuse status of emotionally disturbed girls in residential treatment. Sexually abused girls had poorer self esteem, higher levels of anxiety, and a trend toward more depression than the nonabused girls on self-report measures. Measures completed by the residents' therapists also found sexually abused girls as being more symptomatic in a number of areas.This research was made possible by a grant awarded to both authors from the Faculty Research and Innovation Fund of the University of Southern California and a Rhoda G. Sarnat Junior Faculty Endowment to Dr. Mennen.