To Add Insight to Injury: Childhood Abuse, Abuse Perceptions, and the Emotional and Physical Health of Young Adults

Abstract

Although childhood abuse is strongly associated with psychological difficulties, survivors may not perceive their experiences as abusive. Depression, anxiety, dissociation, and physical health complaints may decrease perceptions of abuse and may also be exacerbated by individuals' abuse perceptions. The current study examined abuse perceptions, abuse experiences, and current symptoms among 185 university students. Ninety-six participants repeated the study 1–2 years later. At Time 1, self-labeling as “abused” or “maltreated” was not related to psychological or physical health symptoms. At Time 2, self-labeling as “abused” or “maltreated” was positively related to depression, anxiety, and dissociation. Results indicate that abuse perceptions may change over time and may be connected with emotional and physical symptoms.

KEYWORDS:

• childhood abuse
• maltreatment
• labeling
• awareness
• perceptions
• posttraumatic stress

Support for this project was provided as part of the University of Oregon Psychology Department's National Institute of Mental Health training grant in development and psychopathology (NIMH #5-T32-MH20012-04), the Beverly Fagot Dissertation Award from the Psychology Department of the University of Oregon, and a Graduate Research Support Grant from the University of Oregon. The project was also supported by the Fund for Research on Trauma and Oppression established by an anonymous donor. We thank Chris Baker, Carrie Bettenhausen, Angela Binder, Jonathan Cook, Christina Gamache, Mary Gray, Pete Happy, Linda Ivy, Mary Jacque, Rachel Phariss, Rebecca Silver, Jennifer Simonds, Tiegan Tidball, Carrie Wouda, and the University of Oregon Dynamics Lab for their help with this project.