Childhood maltreatment and the mental health of low-income women.

Abstract

518 low-income mothers (mean age 27.31 yrs) were examined to determine whether childhood physical and sexual abuse would explain variance in adult mental health after controlling for other childhood and adult risk factors. Measures included the Beck Depression Inventory and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory. Depressive symptoms and self-esteem were found to vary significantly with childhood maltreatment. Analyses of women abused in childhood revealed that social support and a less external locus of control were protective in function. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Department

Psychology

Publication Date

4-1999

Journal Title

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

Publisher

Wiley

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1037/h0080418

Document Type

Article

Rights

1999 American Orthopsychiatric Association

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