We have located links that may give you full text access.
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Clinical characteristics of women with a history of childhood abuse: unhealed wounds.
JAMA 1997 May 8
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of childhood physical or sexual abuse in women seen in primary care practices; to identify physical and psychologic problems associated with that abuse; and to compare the effects of childhood physical vs sexual abuse and childhood vs adult abuse.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous survey.
SETTING: Four community-based, primary care internal medicine practices.
PATIENTS: A total of 1931 women of varied age and marital, educational, and economic status examined from February through July 1993.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, physical symptoms, psychological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-22), alcohol abuse (CAGE questions), and street drug use.
RESULTS: Of the 1931 respondents, 424 (22.0%) reported childhood or adolescent physical or sexual abuse. Compared with women who reported never having experienced abuse (n=1257), women who reported abuse as children but not adults (n=204) had more physical symptoms (mean+/-SE, 6.2+/-0.2 vs 4.0+/-0.9; P<.001) and had higher scores for depression, anxiety, somatization, and interpersonal sensitivity (low self-esteem) (P<.001); were more likely to be abusing drugs (prevalence ratio [PR], 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-7.6) or to have a history of alcohol abuse (PR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.2); were more likely to have attempted suicide (PR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.6-5.1); and were more likely to have had a psychiatric admission (PR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.2-4.7). Women abused only as children did not differ from women who reported current, but not childhood, abuse in number of physical symptoms, emotional distress, substance abuse, or suicide attempts. Patients who reported both childhood and adult abuse had higher levels of psychological problems and physical symptoms than those who reported childhood or adult abuse alone.
CONCLUSIONS: Childhood physical or sexual abuse is associated with adult health problems including physical symptoms, psychological problems, and substance abuse; for many variables, this association is as strong as for patients experiencing current abuse.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous survey.
SETTING: Four community-based, primary care internal medicine practices.
PATIENTS: A total of 1931 women of varied age and marital, educational, and economic status examined from February through July 1993.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, physical symptoms, psychological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-22), alcohol abuse (CAGE questions), and street drug use.
RESULTS: Of the 1931 respondents, 424 (22.0%) reported childhood or adolescent physical or sexual abuse. Compared with women who reported never having experienced abuse (n=1257), women who reported abuse as children but not adults (n=204) had more physical symptoms (mean+/-SE, 6.2+/-0.2 vs 4.0+/-0.9; P<.001) and had higher scores for depression, anxiety, somatization, and interpersonal sensitivity (low self-esteem) (P<.001); were more likely to be abusing drugs (prevalence ratio [PR], 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-7.6) or to have a history of alcohol abuse (PR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.2); were more likely to have attempted suicide (PR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.6-5.1); and were more likely to have had a psychiatric admission (PR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.2-4.7). Women abused only as children did not differ from women who reported current, but not childhood, abuse in number of physical symptoms, emotional distress, substance abuse, or suicide attempts. Patients who reported both childhood and adult abuse had higher levels of psychological problems and physical symptoms than those who reported childhood or adult abuse alone.
CONCLUSIONS: Childhood physical or sexual abuse is associated with adult health problems including physical symptoms, psychological problems, and substance abuse; for many variables, this association is as strong as for patients experiencing current abuse.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults.Gut 2024 April 17
Systemic lupus erythematosus.Lancet 2024 April 18
Should renin-angiotensin system inhibitors be held prior to major surgery?British Journal of Anaesthesia 2024 May
Ventilator Waveforms May Give Clues to Expiratory Muscle Activity.American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2024 April 25
Acute Kidney Injury and Electrolyte Imbalances Caused by Dapagliflozin Short-Term Use.Pharmaceuticals 2024 March 27
Colorectal polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2024.Endoscopy 2024 April 27
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app