Papers by David Finkelhor
Child Abuse & Neglect, 1995
Is youth victimization related to trauma symptoms and depression after controlling for prior symptoms and family relationships? A longitudinal, prospective study
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996
The common finding linking symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression w... more The common finding linking symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression with youth victimization (e.g., sexual abuse) might well be artifactual if preexisting psychopathology or disturbed family relationships create a common risk for both later victimization and later symptoms. This study used a longitudinal, prospective design to examine this issue. In a national random sample telephone survey, children 10 to 16 years old were interviewed and then reinterviewed approximately 15 months later about psychological problems, family relationships and victimization experiences that had occurred in the interim. Victimization in the interim was associated with PTSD-related symptoms and depression measured at Time 2, even after controlling for these symptoms and the quality of the parent-child relationship at Time 1. The association was particularly strong for sexual abuse, parental assault, and kidnapping experiences. However, these data also suggest that some of the apparent association found in cross-sectional studies between victimization and psychopathology may be due to prior psychopathology (but not parent-child relationship problems), which puts children at risk for both victimization and later symptoms.
Psychosocial sequelae of violent victimization in a national youth sample
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1995
In a national telephone sample of youths aged 10-16 years, over one third reported having been th... more In a national telephone sample of youths aged 10-16 years, over one third reported having been the victims of an assault. Victimized respondents displayed significantly more psychological and behavioral symptomatology than did nonvictimized respondents (more symptomatology related to posttraumatic stress disorder, more sadness, and more school difficulties), even after controlling for some other possible sources of distress. Sexual assault was associated with particularly high levels of symptomatology. However, victims of other forms of assault--nonfamily assaults involving weapons or physical injury (aggravated assaults), assaults by parents, violence to genitals, and attempted kidnappings--also evidenced levels of distress that were not statistically lower than those suffered by victims of sexual assault. The findings suggest that substantial mental health morbidity in the general child and adolescent population is associated with victimization.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1980
In a survey of 796 undergraduates at six New England colleges and universities, 15% of the female... more In a survey of 796 undergraduates at six New England colleges and universities, 15% of the females and 10% of the males reported some type of sexual experience involving a sibling. Fondling and touching of the genitals were the most common activities in all age categories. One-fourth of the experiences could be described as exploitative either because force was used or because there was a large age disparity between the partners. Reactions to the experiences were equally divided among those who considered them positive and those who considered them negative. Females were more likely than males to have been exploited and feel badly about it. Few participants of either sex ever told anyone. The research finds evidence that such experience may have long-term effects on sexual development. Females who report sibling sexual experiences, both positive and negative, have substantially higher levels of current sexual activity. Their level of sexual self-esteem may also have been affected, but more selectively. Those with positive sibling experiences after age 9 have more sexual self-esteem. However, experiences with much older siblings taking place before age 9 are associated with generally lower levels of self-esteem and no increase in current sexual activity.
Epidemiological factors in the clinical identification of child sexual abuse
Child Abuse & Neglect, 1993
The main finding from epidemiological literature on child sexual abuse is that no identifiable de... more The main finding from epidemiological literature on child sexual abuse is that no identifiable demographic or family characteristics of a child may be used to exclude the possibility that a child has been sexually abused. Some characteristics are associated with greater risk: girls more than boys, preadolescents and early adolescents, having a stepfather, living without a natural parent, having an impaired mother, poor parenting, or witnessing family conflict. Class and ethnicity appear not be associated with risk. In any case, none of these factors bear a strong enough relationship to the occurrence of abuse that their presence could play a confirming or disconfirming role in the identification of actual cases.
This book was written to "serve as a guide to those therapists who are interested in exploring pa... more This book was written to "serve as a guide to those therapists who are interested in exploring paradoxical and strategic interventions with couples and families within a systems framework" (p. 1). Toward this end Papp offers her understanding of systems, symptoms, and their reciprocity. She addresses the dilemmas posed by the prospect of change, the thematic interlocking of a couple's individual beliefs, the contrast between direct (compliance-based) and paradoxical (defiance-based) interventions; and the uses of a consultation team. She gives detailed accounts of the therapy process, and there are also two guest chapters on specific cases. Papp's work with couples groups and a chapter on failures and pitfalls complete the book.
Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research
Psychological Bulletin, 1986
This article reviews studies that have tried to confirm empirically the effects of child sexual a... more This article reviews studies that have tried to confirm empirically the effects of child sexual abuse cited in the clinical literature. In regard to initial effects, empirical studies have indicated reactions—in at least some portion of the victim population—of fear, anxiety, depression, ...
THE TRAUMATIC IMPACT OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: A Conceptualization
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2010
A framework is proposed for a more systematic understanding of the effects of child sexual abuse.... more A framework is proposed for a more systematic understanding of the effects of child sexual abuse. Four traumagenic dynamics--traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness--are identified as the core of the psychological injury inflicted by abuse. These dynamics can be used to make assessments of victimized children and to anticipate problems to which these children may be vulnerable subsequently. Implications for research are also considered.
Sexual abuse in the national incidence study of child abuse and neglect: An appraisal
Child Abuse & Neglect, 1984
The National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect was a major, government sponsored effort ... more The National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect was a major, government sponsored effort to collect data on reported and unreported child abuse. It used a systematic representative sample methodology and very precisely developed definitions of child abuse. This paper review some of the main limitations of the study in regard to findings on sexual abuse. First, there is probably less "new" data in the study on sexual abuse than on other forms of abuse, since so many of the study cases of sexual abuse were "officially reported' cases. In addition, the study limited its definition of sexual abuse only to cases where a caretaker was the perpetrator , a definition that is much more restrictive than what is used in many treatment programs. Finally, the data on perpetrators has a number of problems that stem from the study's definitions of sexual abuse. The paper makes suggestions for future incidence type studies of sexual abuse.
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Papers by David Finkelhor