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The relationship of sexual abuse to symptom levels in emotionally disturbed girls

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Abstract

This research study examined symptom levels and sexual abuse status of emotionally disturbed girls in residential treatment. Sexually abused girls had poorer self esteem, higher levels of anxiety, and a trend toward more depression than the nonabused girls on self-report measures. Measures completed by the residents' therapists also found sexually abused girls as being more symptomatic in a number of areas.

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This research was made possible by a grant awarded to both authors from the Faculty Research and Innovation Fund of the University of Southern California and a Rhoda G. Sarnat Junior Faculty Endowment to Dr. Mennen.

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Mennen, F.E., Meadow, D. The relationship of sexual abuse to symptom levels in emotionally disturbed girls. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 10, 319–328 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00758262

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