Abstract

Information regarding the nature of disrupted memory for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is limited. To increase understanding, repressive coping, dissociative tendencies, and characteristics of CSA were measured via survey in college students to determine if they predicted disrupted memory for CSA. Dissociative tendencies, but not repressive coping, predicted disrupted memory. Furthermore, repressive coping and dissociative tendencies were negatively correlated in those with disrupted memory for CSA. Characteristics of CSA loaded onto four factors: less physically intrusive CSA, significantly intrusive CSA, pornographic exploitative CSA and psychological impact of CSA. The psychological impact of CSA factor, greater number of years abused, and the ability to provided evidence of CSA, best predicted disrupted memory for CSA. Results suggest that dissociative tendencies may be a mechanism by which memories for CSA are disrupted. Furthermore, the psychological impact of CSA may be a more direct determinant than type of CSA in predicting disrupted memory for CSA.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Janet Sonne

Second Advisor

Gloria Cowan

Third Advisor

John Flora-Tostado

Fourth Advisor

Kelly Morton

Fifth Advisor

Matthew Riggs

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2003

Date (Title Page)

6-2003

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Child Abuse, Sexual; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Repression; Psychology; Memory; Dissociative Disorders

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xi; 106 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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