Measuring Abuse Sequelae:Measuring Abuse Sequelae:Validating and Extending the Trauma Symptom Validating and Extending the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40Checklist-40 Tess M.S. Neal & Jacklyn E. NagleTess M.S. Neal & Jacklyn E. NagleThe University of AlabamaThe University of Alabama Negative sequelae associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and childhood physical abuse (CPA)is related to significant and negative impairments in adulthood

Symptoms include: depression, dissociation, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, sexual problems, andsomatization The Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40; Elliot & Briere, 1992) has been established:

As a measure of long-term effects of CSA In adult clinical populations Adequate levels of reliability and validity

The current study seeks to extend the use of the TSC-40: As a measure of long-term effects of CSA and CPA In a non-clinical, college student sample With male evaluees as well as the typical female evaluees

The current study also anticipates that: Those reporting both CSA and CPA will report more trauma-related symptoms Abuse severity will be positively related to experiencing trauma-related symptoms in adulthood Victim typology may influence subsequent dysfunction

INTRODUCTION:

METHOD: Participants:

442 undergraduate students Mean age = 18.98 years (SD = 3.03 years) 66% Female, 34% Male 80% Caucasian, 10% African American, 4% Latino/a, and 6% from a different racial background

RESULTS:

Abuse History Questionnaire Frequency of abuse Time abuse was experienced If they sought help because of abuse If they knew a perpetrator of abuse If they knew someone in legal trouble as a perpetrator of abuse

If the known perpetrator was punished or treatedDemographic Questionnaire

Age and Sex Race Religious Orientation Socioeconomic Status

Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40)Total Score and 6 Subscale Scores:1) Dissociation 2) Anxiety3) Depression 4) Post-Sexual Abuse Trauma5) Sleep Disturbance 6) Sexual Problems40 Items of Adult Symptoms: 4-point scale(0 = never, 3 = often) Frequency of symptoms in previous 2 months Higher scores = more abuse

Measures:

Model 1: MANOVA with IV = Type of Abuse (no abuse vs. CPA vs. CSA vs. CPA and CSA)7 DVs = TSC-40 total score and 6 subscale scores Significant effect for type of abuse (beyond gender) Wilks’ Lambda = 0.85, F(21, 1184) = 3.26, p < 0.001, ɳp2 = 0.05Univariate ANOVAs on each DV: Significant effect for type of abuse on TSC-40 F(3, 418)= 13.93, p= < 0.001, ɳp2= 0.09 Significant effect for type of abuse on 6 subscales Fs (3, 418) ≥ 5.35, ps ≤ 0.001, ɳp2≥ 0.04LSD pairwise comparisons:CPA, CSA, and CPA/CSA higher TSC-40 total scores than no abuse (ps ≤ 0.006)CPA/CSA higher TSC-40 total scores and 4 subscales (#1-4 as previously listed) than no abuse (ps ≤ 0.006)Model 2: MANCOVA with Covariates = severity of CPA and severity of CSA7 DVs = TSC-40 total score and 6 subscale scores Significant effect for severity of physical abuse and for severity of sexual abuse Wilks’ Lambda = 0.90, F(7, 411) = 6.77, p < 0.001, ɳp2 = 0.10 Wilks’ Lambda = 0.94, F(7, 411) = 3.78, p = 0.001, ɳp2 = 0.06 Univariate ANOVAs on each DV: Significant effect for severity of CPA on TSC-40 and 6 subscales βs ≥ 0.43, ts ≥ 4.14, ps < 0.001, ɳp2≥ 0.04 Significant effect for severity of CSA on TSC-40 and 6 subscales βs ≥ 0.96, ts ≥ 2.12, ps ≤ 0.034, ɳp2≥ 0.01

**Severity of CPA and CSA related to experiencing more trauma-related symptoms in adulthoodRegression = severity of CPA and CSA as predictors of TSC-40 total scores Model with Step 1 = CSA severity and Step 2 = CPA Severity R2 = 0.105 (10.5% of explained varaince) CPA and CSA severity explains variability in TSC-40 F(2, 431) = 25.32, p < 0.001 Step 1 = CSA Severity R2 = 0.031 F(1, 432) = 13.58, p < 0.001 Step 2 = addition of CPA Severity R2 = 0.075 FΔ (1, 432) = 35.97, p < 0.001**Severity of CSA and CPA account for variability in TSC-40 total scores, with CPA Severity adding the most explanation The TSC-40 is an appropriate measure for the traumatic sequelae of both CPA and CSA in a non-clinical sample

Because we controlled for gender, our findings help to support the validity of the TSC-40 Traumatic legacy of either CPA or CSA may be just as strong as CPA and CSA together Severity of CPA and CSA leads to greater residual trauma-related symptoms Limitations:

Is a college sample equivalent to a community sample? Our rate of CPA was consistent with other studies, but our rate of CSA was lower than other studies, even those looking at college samples Strengths:

1) large sample size and adequate statistical power; 2) reduced alpha inflation and Type II error; 3) contributions to literature of the negative sequelae of CPA and CSA in a nonclinical sample Future Directions:

Examine TSC-40 in a broader way than typically used (CSA and CPA; nonclinical samples; college samples)

DISCUSSION: