Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
5-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Diana Morelen
Committee Members
Julia Dodd, Andrea Clements
Abstract
In 1998, a seminal study on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subsequent health risks catapulted ACEs and the study questionnaire into the zeitgeist. However, its childhood sexual abuse (CSA) item is problematic as it requires the perpetrator have been 5-years or older than the victim. To assess whether some survivors’ CSA is not identified by the current item, whether their exclusion prevents access to services requiring a four-threshold ACE score, and how their health outcomes compared to other CSA groups and controls, an international sample of 974 women completed an online survey assessing their current health and CSA history using the original item and an experimental item without the 5-year modifier. Results indicated many CSA survivors are not identified by a 5-year modifier, exclusion has service implications for some, and on most variables, they had increased adverse health outcomes compared to controls. Means of assessing CSA must be thoughtfully revised.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Dolson, Robyn, "Pocket ACE: Neglect of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in the ACEs Study Questionnaire" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3573. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3573
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons