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Attributions and coping in sexually abused adolescents referred for group treatment

Authors :
Isabelle Daigneault
Marc Tourigny
Martine Hébert
Source :
Journal of child sexual abuse. 15(3)
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

This study aims to assess the predictive value of two sets of variables, self-attributions, and coping behaviors, on sexually abused (SA) teenagers' functioning, while controlling for abuse-related and family variables. A total of 103 female adolescents completed self-report measures to assess their psychological functioning in terms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, sexual concerns, dissociation, anger, their self-injurious behaviors, antisocial behaviors, and drug use. After controlling for SA and family characteristics, final regression models indicate that attributions and coping behaviors explained between 22% and 39% of additional unique variance for seven out of the nine measures of adolescent functioning. Attributions and coping behaviors did not significantly explain additional variance for scores of antisocial behaviors and drug use. Personal attributions of blame for negative events were the strongest predictors of adolescents' functioning. Implications for future research and interventions are highlighted.

Details

ISSN :
10538712
Volume :
15
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of child sexual abuse
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e4c96001316314388692ee592249f87e