Adolescent “Acting-Out” and Childhood History of Sexual Abuse

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A questionnaire examining childhood history of sexual abuse and later (adolescent) behaviors was administered to a sample of 278 undergraduate women. Subjects with a history of sexual abuse were more likely than their nonabused peers to report “delinquent” teenage behaviors in four categories: school problems, conflict with authority, early sexual behavior, and eating problems. The functional aspects of such behaviors in abuse victims are explored, both in terms of escape from jeopardy and as a “cry for help.” It is suggested that problem behaviors in adolescents be considered potential evidence of ongoing or previous abuse.

This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit: