Psychological testing in evaluation of child sexual abuse

Abstract

In order to assess the utility of psychological testing in evaluating allegations of child sexual abuse, the empirical literature is reviewed in an attempt to answer two questions. First, are there systematic and significant differences on psychological tests between sexually abused and nonabused children? Second, are these differences on psychological testing a direct result of sexual abuse, or are they a result of other coexisting factors that might cause psychological distress? Cognitive measures, personality inventories, symptomatology checklists, and projective tests with sexually abused children are reviewed. While a variety of standardized instruments have been administered to sexually abused children, relatively few have been utilized in empirical studies. Findings have been mixed, with stronger differences between sexually abused and nonabused children generally found on measures completed by parents than on measures administered directly to children. Sexually abused children often fall between nonabused and psychiatric groups. Use of measures specific to sexual abuse is advocated. While psychological tests may currently have limited use in validating suspected sexual abuse, they may be extremely useful in the clinical treatment of the child.