Family of Origin Characteristics and Symptomatology in a Counseling Center Population

Abstract

The relationship between family of origin characteristics and symptomatology of a college counseling center population was examined using self-report information on abuse history, parental substance abuse, familial adaptability and cohesion as measured by the FACES-II, and symptomatology. Students indicated substantial clinical symptomatology and/or histories of abuse. Three types of childhood abuse were correlated with each other and with adaptability and cohesion. Adaptability and cohesion were correlated to parental substance abuse. Childhood emotional abuse had higher correlations with symptomatology and predicted depressive symptoms. Adaptability predicted panic symptoms. Childhood abuse predicted the same type of abuse in adulthood. Implications for therapists in college counseling centers are discussed.

Key Words:

• Sexual abuse
• physical abuse
• emotional abuse
• FACES-II
• substance abuse