Original scientific paper
Multi-type Childhood Abuse, Strategies of Coping, and Psychological Adaptations in Young Adults
Kristina Sesar
orcid.org/0000-0003-2406-7114
; Center for Mental Health, Health Center Široki Brijeg, Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nataša Šimić
; Department of Psychology University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Marijana Barišić
; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of MostarMostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
Aim To retrospectively analyze the rate of multi-type abuse
in childhood and the effects of childhood abuse and type
of coping strategies on the psychological adaptation of
young adults in a sample form the student population of
the University of Mostar.
Methods The study was conducted on a convenience
sample of 233 students from the University of Mostar (196
female and 37 male), with a median age of 20 (interquartile
range, 2). Exposure to abuse was determined using the
Child Maltreatment Scales for Adults, which assesses emotional,
physical, and sexual abuse, neglect, and witnessing
family violence. Psychological adaptation was explored by
the Trauma Symptom Checklist, which assesses anxiety/
depression, sexual problems, trauma symptoms, and somatic
symptoms. Strategies of coping with stress were explored
by the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations.
Results Multi-type abuse in childhood was experienced
by 172 participants (74%) and all types of abuse by 11 (5%)
participants. Emotional and physical maltreatment were
the most frequent types of abuse and mostly occurred together
with other types of abuse. Significant association
was found between all types of abuse (r = 0.436-0.778,
P < 0.050). Exposure to sexual abuse in childhood and coping
strategies were significant predictors of anxiety/depression
(R2 = 0.3553), traumatic symptoms (R2 = 0.2299),
somatic symptoms (R2 = 0.2173), and sexual problems
(R2 = 0.1550, P < 0.001).
Conclusion Exposure to multi-type abuse in childhood
is a traumatic experience with long-term negative effects.
Problem-oriented coping strategies ensure a better psychosocial
adaptation than emotion-oriented strategies.
Keywords
multi-type abuse; coping strategies; psychological adaptation
Hrčak ID:
63517
URI
Publication date:
15.10.2010.
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