Spiritual correlates of reported sexual abuse among Mormon women

Journal/Book: J Sci Stud Relig. 1998; 37: Purdue University, 1365 Stone Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1365. Soc Scientific Study Religion. 273-285.

Abstract: Although many studies of physical, emotional, and social effects of sexual abuse have been conducted, spiritual effects have received little attention. Using Mormon women (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) who had received counseling, this exploratory study compared 115 women who reported having been sexually abused as children with 70 who reported no such abuse. The questionnaire probed their concept of God, measured by Gorsuch and Spilka's Adjective Scales; sense of spiritual well-being, measured by Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS); and overall optimism or pessimism, measured by Seligman's Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ). In all three areas, the sexually abused group's scores were significantly more negative than were the scores of the nonabused group. This strongly suggests the relevance of spiritual issues in the treatment of survivors of child sexual abuse.

Note: Article Pritt AF, 690 E Ctr St, Kaysville,UT 84037 USA

Keyword(s): GOD; CHILDHOOD; SELF; STYLE

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