Three health symptom checklists were used to measure physical health concerns among university women in relation to prior child physical maltreatment (CPM) (20%, n = 153) and child sexual abuse (CSA) (19%, n = 143). A history of CPM was related to all three general areas of health concerns as well as to many of the specific subscales comprising the measures (e.g., muscular-skeletal symptoms and gynecological problems), whereas an interaction between CSA and CPM was linked to greater premenstrual distress subscale scores (particularly emotional and behavioral symptoms). Overall, although CSA was not related to health symptoms, within the CSA subgroup, greater duration and severity of CSA was predictive of higher premenstrual distress even after controlling for CPM. This study emphasizes the need for greater awareness of the physical health-related correlates of both physical and sexual maltreatment in childhood and their associated implications for women's health care needs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Attanasio, V.
, Andrasik, F., Blanchard, E., & Arena, J. (1984). Psychometric properties of the SUNYA Revision of the Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 7, 247-258.
2.
Bendixen, M.
, Muus, K. M., & Schei, B. (1994). The impact of child sexual abuse—A study of a random sample of Norwegian students. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 837-847.
3.
Bensley, L. S.
, Van Eenwyk, J., & Simmons, K. W. (2000). Self-reported childhood sexual and physical abuse and adult HIV-risk behaviors and heavy drinking. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 18, 151-158.
4.
Boyle, G.
(1992). Factor structure of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ): Exploratory and LISREL analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 13, 1-15.
5.
Boyle, G.
, & Grant, A. (1992). Prospective versus retrospective assessment of menstrual cycle symptoms and moods: Role of attitudes and beliefs. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 14, 307-321.
6.
Briere, J.
(1995). The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI): Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
7.
Briere, J.
, & Runtz, M. (1988). Symptomatology associated with childhood sexual victimization in a non-clinical adult sample. Child Abuse and Neglect, 12, 51-59.
8.
Briere, J.
, & Zaidi, L. (1989). Sexual abuse histories and sequelae in female psychiatric emergency room patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1602-1606.
9.
Coker, A. L.
, Patel, N. J., Krishnaswami, S., Schmidt, W., & Richter, D. L. (1998). Childhood forced sex and cervical dysplasia among women prison inmates. Violence Against Women, 4, 595-608.
10.
Cummings, N. A.
, & VandenBos, G. R. (1981). The twenty years experience with psychotherapy and medical utilization: Implications for national health policy and national health insurance. Health Policy Quarterly, 1, 159-175
11.
Cunningham, J.
, Pearce, T., & Pearce, P. (1988). Childhood sexual abuse and medical complaints in adult women. Journal of Inter-personal Violence, 3, 131-144.
12.
Domino, J.
, & Haber, J. (1987). Prior physical and sexual abuse in women with chronic headache: Clinical correlates. Headache, 27, 310-314.
13.
Ende, J.
, Rockwell, S., & Glasgow, M. (1984). The sexual history in general medicine practice. Archives of Internal Medicine, 144, 558-561.
14.
Felitti, V. J.
, Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14, 245-360.
15.
Friedman, R.
, Hurt, S., Clarkin, J., Corn, R., & Aronoff, M. (1982). Sexual histories and premenstrual affective syndrome in psychiatric inpatients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 1484-1486.
16.
Girdler, S. S.
, Pedersen, C. A., Straneva, P. A., Leserman, J., Stanwyck, C. L., Benjamin, S., et al. (1998). Dysregulation of cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to stress in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Psychiatry Research, 81, 163-178.
17.
Goodman, L.
, Koss, M. P., & Russo, N. F. (1993). Violence against women: Physical and mental health effects: II. Research findings. Applied and Preventive Psychology, 2(2), 79-89.
18.
Haber, J.
, & Roos, C. (1985). Effects of spouse abuse and/or sexual abuse in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in women. Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, 9, 889-895.
19.
Herrera, E.
, Gomez-Amor, J., Martinez-Selva, J., & Ato, M. (1990). Relationship between personality, psychological and somatic symptoms, and the menstrual cycle. Personality and Individual Differences, 11, 457-461.
20.
Holroyd, K. A.
, Andrasik, F., & Noble, J. (1980). A comparison of EMG biofeedback and a credible pseudotherapy in treating tension headache. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 3, 29-39.
21.
Jacobs, J. L.
(1992). Child sexual abuse victimization and later sequelae during pregnancy and childbirth. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 1, 103-112.
22.
Jones, K. R.
, & Vischi, T. R. (1980). Impact of alcohol, drug abuse and mental health treatment on medical care utilization. Medical Care, 17, 1-82.
23.
Jumper, S.
(1995). A meta-analysis of the relationship of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 715-728.
24.
Karol, R. L.
, Micka, R. G., & Kuskowski, M. (1992). Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse among pain patients and health care providers: Implications for psychologists in multidisciplinary pain treatment centers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 23, 480-485.
25.
Katon, W.
, Ries, R. K., & Kleinman, A. (1984). The prevalence of somatization in primary care. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 25, 208-215.
26.
Kessler, R. C.
, Price, R. H., & Wortman, C. B. (1985). Social factors in psychopathology: Stress, social support, and coping processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 36, 531-572.
27.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K.
, & Glaser, R. (1992). Psychoneuroimmunology: Can psychological interventions moderate immunity?Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 569-575.
28.
Kimerling, R.
, & Calhoun, K. S. (1994). Somatic symptoms, social support, and treatment seeking among sexual assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 333-340.
29.
Koss, M. P.
, Koss, P. G., & Woodruff, W. J. (1991). Relation of criminal victimization to health perceptions among women medical patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 147-152.
30.
Lazarus, R.
, & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
31.
Lechner, M. E.
, Vogel, M. E., Garcia-Shelton, L. M., Leichter, J. L., & Steibel, K. R. (1993). Self-reported medical problems of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Family Practice, 36, 633-638.
32.
Leserman, J.
, Drossman, D. A., Zhiming, L., Toomey, T. C., Nachman, G., & Glogau, L. (1996). Sexual and physical abuse history in gastroenterology practice: How types of abuse impact health status. Psychosomatic Medicine, 58, 4-15.
33.
Miccio-Fonseca, L.
, Jones, J., & Futterman, L. (1990). Sexual trauma and the premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 16, 270-278.
34.
Moeller, T. P.
, Bachmann, G. A., & Moeller, J. R. (1993). The combined effects of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse during childhood: Long-term health consequences for women. Child Abuse & Neglect, 17, 623-640.
35.
Moos, R. H.
(1968). The development of a Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine, 30, 853-867.
36.
Neumann, D. A.
, Houskamp, B. M., Pollock, V. E., & Briere, J. (1996). The long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse in women: A meta-analytic review. Child Maltreatment, 1, 6-16.
37.
Rapkin, A.
, Kames, L., Darke, L., Stampler, F., & Naliboff, B. (1990). History of physical and sexual abuse in women with chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 76, 92-96.
38.
Rind, B.
, Tromovitch, P., & Bauserman, R. (1998). A meta-analytic examination of assumed properties of child sexual abuse using college samples. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 22-53.
39.
Roosa, M. W.
, Reyes, L., Reinholtz, C., & Angelini, P. J. (1998). Measurement of women's child sexual abuse experiences: An empirical demonstration of the impact of choice of measure on estimates of incidence rates and of relationships with pathology. Journal of Sex Research, 35, 225-233.
40.
Runtz, M. G.
, & Roche, D. N. (1999). Validation of the Trauma Symptom Inventory in a Canadian sample of university women. Child Maltreatment, 4, 69-80.
41.
Russell, J.
, Coleman, G., & Hart, W. (1988). Validation of a modified version of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire: A case for false attribution?Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 8, 19-29.
42.
Sarason, I. G.
, & Sarason, B. R. (1984). Life changes, moderators of stress and health. In A. Baum, S. E. Taylor, & J. E. Singer (Eds.), Handbook of psychology and health (Vol. 4). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
43.
Thys-Jacob, S.
, Alvir, J., & Fratarcangelo, P. (1995). Comparative analysis of three PMS assessment instruments: The identification of premenstrual syndrome with core symptoms. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 31, 389-396.
44.
Walker, E. A.
, Katon, W. J., Harrop-Griffiths, J., Holm, L., Russo, J., & Hickok, L. (1988). Relationship of chronic pelvic pain to psychiatric diagnoses and childhood sexual abuse. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 75-80.
45.
Walker, E. A.
, Katon, W. J., Neraas, K., Jemelka, R., & Massoth, D. (1992). Dissociation in women with chronic pelvic pain. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 534-537.
46.
Walker, E. A.
, Keegan, D., Gardner, G., Sullivan, M., Bernstein, D., & Katon, W. J. (1997). Psychosocial factors in fibromyalgia compared with rheumatoid arthritis: II. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect. Psychosomatic Medicine, 59, 572-577.
47.
Walker, E. A.
, Unutzer, J., Rutter, C., Gelfand, A., Saunders K., VonKoff, M., Koss, M. P., & Katon, W. (1999). Costs of health care use by women HMO members with a history of childhood abuse and neglect. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56, 609-613.
48.
Walker, L. S.
, & Greene, J. W. (1987). Negative life events, psychosocial resources, and psychophysiological symptoms in adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 16, 29-36.
49.
Young, T. K.
, & Katz, A. (1998). Survivors of sexual abuse: Clinical, lifestyle and reproductive consequences. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 159, 329-334.
