A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse.

A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) was undertaken for 6 outcomes: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicide, sexual promiscuity, victim-perpetrator cycle, and poor academic performance. Thirty-seven studies published between 1981 and 1995 involving 25,367 people were included. Many of the studies were published in 1994 (24; 65%), and most were done in the United States (22; 59%). All six dependent variables were coded, and effect sizes (d) were computed for each outcome. Average unweighted and weighted ds for each of the respective outcome variables were .50 and .40 for PTSD, .63 and .44 for depression, .64 and .44 for suicide, .59 and .29 for sexual promiscuity, .41 and .16 for victim-perpetrator cycle, and .24 and .19 for academic performance. A file drawer analysis indicated that 277 studies with null ds would be required to negate the present findings. The analyses provide clear evidence confirming the link between CSA and subsequent negative short- and long-term effects on development. There were no statistically significant differences on ds when various potentially mediating variables such as gender, socioeconomic status, type of abuse, age when abused, relationship to perpetrator, and number of abuse incidents were assessed. The results of the present meta-analysis support the multifaceted model of traumatization rather than a specific sexual abuse syndrome of CSA.

The use of hypnosis in helping cancer patients control anxiety, pain, and emesis: a review of recent empirical studies.

This is a review of the systematic studies conducted since 1980 in the area of hypnotic interventions for anxiety, pain, and emesis control in child and adolescent cancer patients. The focus of the present paper is on how the problems encountered in studying the use of hypnosis with this population influence the results. The review is divided between studies focused on controlling anxiety and pain and those focused on controlling nausea and vomiting. Consistent findings are identified, and suggestions for future research are made.

Factors which differentiate sexually abused from nonabused males: an exploratory study.

In the present study, 200 male university students between the ages of 18 and 27 years (mean = 21.4 yr.) completed a questionnaire designed to record data about childhood sexual abuse. The rate of disclosure of sexual abuse was 14%. Analysis indicated that the 28 abused subjects had experienced earlier separation from parents and a generally more unstable environment than the nonabused subjects. Implications for research are discussed.

Psychology of computer use: XX. Sexual abuse recalled: evaluation of a computerized questionnaire in a population of young adult males.

Development of a computerized questionnaire for investigating prevalence of child sexual abuse as "unwanted sexual contact" prior to Age 17 and associated long-term mental health sequelae is described. The computerized technique has technical advantages, and in a study of 200 university men elicited significantly more recall of prior abuse (in 14% of subjects) than a paper questionnaire.