A meta-analysis of the relationship of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment

Abstract

This paper reports on meta-analyses of the relations of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between the experience of child sexual abuse and subsequent difficulties in psychological adjustment as measured by psychological symptomatology, depression, and self-esteem. Significant heterogeneity occurred across studies using a variety of different subject populations, research designs, and assessment methods. Some explanation of the effect size variance was partially accounted for by certain identified study characteristics, most notable in regard to sample source used in the included studies. Student samples consistently generated smaller, more homogeneous effect size estimates than did community or clinical samples. This indicates that abused subjects drawn from student samples may experience fewer impairments in psychological adjustment, when compared to abused subjects drawn from community or clinical samples. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.